Réimpression de L'architecture française de Jacques-François Blondel / exécutée sous les auspices du Ministère de l'instruction publique et des beaux-arts, sous le contrôle de MM. Guadet et Pascal
Paris: Librairie centrale des beaux-arts, Émile Lévy, [1904-1905]
Physical Description
4 vols : illus., 498 plates ; 465 mm.
General Note
This is a facsimile reproduction of Blondel's Architecture françoise published in Paris by Charles-Antoine Jombert, 1752-1756. The seven books of the original are here presented in four volumes as follows: Volume I contains Books 1 and 2 with 152 plates; Volume 2 contains Books 3 and 4 with 148 plates; Volume 3 contains Book 5 with 140 plates; and Volume 4 contains Books 6 and 6 with 58 plates.
Provenance
The front pastdown carries a printed label with 'R. Phené Spiers / Testimonial.' at the top and below it a reproduction in black & white of the recto of a bronze plaque by Edouard Lanteri. The plaque shows a head and shoulders profile portrait of Spiers facing left. Above his head is lettered 'R Phene Spiers / Architect' and the date MDCCCCV running down along the right side near the top; below the figure is a dedication 'A Record Of The Esteem Of His / Pupils Colleagues And Friends'; the plaque is signed Ed Lanteri Sc along the left just above the dedication. Spiers was Master of the Royal Academy Architecture Schools from 1892 to 1906.
Binding Note
The volumes are quarter-bound in brown leather with gilt tooling and lettering on the spines, 'Architecture Française' and 'Vol. I [-IV]'.