Catalogue des Livres, Tableaux, Desseins et Estampes de feu M. le Comte de Vence, Lieutenant Général des Armées du Roy, Commandant à La Rochelle, et Colonel du Régiment Royal-Corse. A Paris, chez Prault, fils aîné, 1760. RELIÉ AVEC (en tête): 2). [ FONTENU (Louis-François de) ]. Catalogue des Livres de feu M. l'abbé de Fontenu, de l'Académie Royale des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres. Dont la vente se fera en détail, au plus Offrant et dernier Enchérisseur, Jeudi 17 Janvier 1760, et jours suivans, rue Ste. Anne, vis-à-vis la rue Villedot. A Paris, chez Davidts, 1760.

2 works in 1 volume 8vo. 1). 2 parts: 2 leaves. IV. 151 ages. 2 leaves. and 2 leaves. XLIV. 2). 4 leaves. 172 pages. 1 leaf. Full calf speckled with a grid pattern on the boards, ornate ribbed spine (period binding). 1). French soldier Claude-Alexandre de Villeneuve, comte de Vence (1702-1760), was one of the great art collectors and bibliophiles of his time. He had close ties with the Marquis Marc-René de Voyer de Paulmy d'Argenson (1722-1782), himself a great collector, and was a member of the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. This catalog of the auction organized after his death is divided into two parts. The first lists the works in the library, while the second is devoted entirely to paintings, drawings and prints. Considered one of the most important libraries in France at the time, the collection was exceptionally rich in works on French history, and more specifically on Provence. In all, it comprised 1,771 lots, which were dispersed over sixteen auction days. His collection of paintings, drawings and prints was even more impressive. It included many works from the Flemish and Dutch schools, including pieces by masters such as Rubens, Van Dyck, Teniers and others. Among its treasures were also three works by Breughel, and no less than twelve canvases by Rembrandt, two of which together fetched the extraordinary sum of £3999. The prices of some paintings have been noted in the margins by a hand of the period. Tiny marginal worm holes, not affecting the text. 2). Auction catalog from the library of archaeologist Louis-François de Fontenu (1667-1759). Passionate about numismatics and travel, he explored Normandy, Orléans and Italy, reaching as far as Rome in 1700. He frequented the likes of Fontenelle and wrote memoirs on various subjects of history and archaeoilogy. His collection of medals brought back from Rome was particularly renowned. An active member of the Académie royale des inscriptions et belles-lettres, he was notably cited in Diderot and d'Alembert's Encyclopédie. His library comprised 2,377 lots, more than half of which were devoted to history and antiquity. A very good copy in its original binding.