City Planning - Paris)"Une Société d'Artistes", (HOUARD-DEVERT, Benoit André.)   MOYENS D'AMÉLIORER LE COMMERCE ET D'AUGMENTER LA VALEUR DES PROPRIÉTÉS DE PLUSIEURS FAUBOURGS ET QUARTIERS DE PARIS.   Avec L'Indice des Avenues, Bassins, Boulevarts, Canaux, Chaussées, Halles, Ponts, Quais et Rues qu'il conviendrait de former à ce sujet...       Paris: Hautecoeur-Martinet,   1826.          This a compilation of similar but separate works written by the Parisian architect and engineer Benoit André Houard-Devert. The first, longest and most interesting of these, entitled "Précis Historique Des Agrandissements et Embellissements de Paris", centers on proposals for physical improvements to the city of Paris. It begins with a historical précis of enlargements and improvements made to the city beginning with Julius Ceasar. The main thrust, however, is the publication of 45 specific proposals for modernizing the city. The authorship of these proposals is credited to "Une Société d'Artistes." This group is not to be confused with the famous Commission des Artistes which drew up plans for Paris during the Revolution, although its proposals are of a similar character and scope. Nothing is revealed about the nature of this society of artists, but several things within the publication suggest that Houdard-Devert alone was responsible for its content. The text is, nevertheless, of great interest. Most of the proposals are described in reasonable detail, with several of them presenting ideas that had already been in discussion by others. The recent history of some of these ideas is often interwoven with the arguments in favor of their implementation. Many of these have to do with street extension, realignment or enlargement, but other proposals for the creation of new squares, canals and other improvements are also presented. The arguments in favor of the proposals are most often economic or practical rather than aesthetic. Some of the ideas were originally proposed in the pages of the Receuil Polytechnique, which was also edited anonymously by Houard-Devert from 1803 to 1807. Nine other shorter publications on a variety of topics are also included. These are: 1) "Plans Et Description De Plusieurs Objets Propres Pour Mettre En Rapport Les Terrains Les Plus Stériles"; 2) "Plan Et Description De La Scie Mécanique"; 3) "Tableau Indicateur Des Rues, Places Et Carrefours De Paris Dont le dégagement et l'élargissement sont réclamés depuis longtemps pour le service de la voie publique..."; 4) "Plans Divers Des Embellissements De Paris, et Des moyens qu'il conviendrait d'employer pour y améliorer la salubrité..."; 5) Précis Historique Des Canaux De L'Ourcq."; 6) "Agriculture, Commerce, Navigation, Salubrité, Et Travaux Publics"; 7) "Précis De La Confection Du Pont Des Invalides, et les moyens qu'il conviendrait d'employer pour prévoir aux événements qui y sont arrivés en septembre 1826, au moment de sa terminaison..."; 8) Analyse Des Canaux Des Rivières de l'Yvette, de la Bièvre, de l'Orge, de la Juine et de l'Essonne."; and 9) Tableau Synoptique Des Souscripteurs De L'Ouvrage D'Arts Mentionné Ci-Contre." All of these either give Houard-Devert as their author or can be attributed to him. The volume is also illustrated with several folding plates, including a folding colored plan of Paris which shows many of the proposed improvements.   4to (25 x 19.5 cm); frontispiece + (ii) + 24 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 4 pp. + 8 partially hand-colored plates (5 folding).            Contemporary marbled boards with leather spine, somewhat worn; some browning and foxing; general title soiled. $1,000.00

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