ANTIQUITÉS D'HERCULANUM, ou les plus belles Peintures antiques, et les marbres, bronzes, meubles, etc., trouvés dans les excavations d'Herculanum, Stabia et Pompeïa [ANTIQUITIES OF HERCULANUM - complete in 12 volumes] by Marechal, P. S - 1780

Rue Pierre-Sarrazin, No. 13. Paris: Chez l'Auteur, F. A. David, 1780. Full set of 12 volumes, published over a 24 year period. Complete with letterpress and half title pages plus a separate engraved title page to each volume; numerous engraved plates with original tissue guards (for collation see below). Contents generally very good with plates clean, minimal foxing to the odd page. Bound in full, contemporary tree calf; all edges rich gilt; original marbled end papers. Bindings good only, but carefully and professionally 'restored' using archival materials, some joints cracked but now stabilised and all boards remain firmly attached, leather chipped to head and tail of spines, corners somewhat worn but now strengthened, one title label missing. Overall a very good set. Collations as follows. pp. vol. I (1780/1781) 168 pages, 134 illustrations; vol. II (1780) 215 pages, 141 illustrations; vol. III. (1780), 204 pages, 130 illustrations; vol. IV (1780) 119 pages; 130 illustrations; vol. V (1780) 100 pages, 181 illustrations; vol. VI (1780) 96 pages, 144 illustrations; vol. VII (1780) 104 pages, 163 illustrations; vol. VIII (1780) 50 pages, 70 plates; vol. IX (1780) 108 pages, 129 illustrations; vol. X (1797) 86 pages; 59 plates; vol. XI [no date - An VI.] 58 pages, 57 plates; vol. XII [1803] 5 & 48 pages, 9 & 34 plates; [Volume four in the above set was published without the engraved titlepage. The engraved title pages in vols. I & VIII bear the date 1781, all other engraved title pages are undated other that vol. XII which shares the same 1803 date as the letterpress title page. An important work on the antiquities of Herculanum with hundred of engraved plates.. First Edition. Full Leather. Very Good. Illus. by David, F. A.. 4to (20 x 26.5cm).