FRENCH CHATEAUX AND GARDENS IN THE XVIth CENTURY. A Series Of Reproductions Of Contemporary Drawings Hitherto Unpublished By Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau Selected and Described With An Account Of The Artist & His Works by W.H. WARD.
LONDON: B.T. Batsford, 1909. First edition of this important reproduction of a selection of Du Cerceau's original drawings, now in the British Museum, for his 1517 and 1579 volumes published as LES PLUS EXCELLENTS BASTIMENTS DE FRANCE. According to Ward," The illustrations of the present volume present a fairly complete picture of architectural evolution in France during the sixteenth century, and comprise some of the finest specimens of each phase." Ward says that the drawings are richer in detail and larger in scale than the old engravings, and "some of these also vary considerably from the published version..." The reproductions are supplemented by Ward's account of Du Cerceau's life and work, descriptions of the chateaux and gardens designed by various architects, and an index of persons. Scarce in this condition. Folio (39.5 x 28 cm); xi + (iii) + 36 pp. with text illustrations mostly from plans and with 27 plates from drawings.
Original paper covered boards printed in brown with with cream colored paper spine also printed in brown; bookseller's ticket on front past-down; a fine copy.
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