GODONNESCHE (Nicolas). - Lot 10

GODONNESCHE (Nicolas). Medals from the reign of Louis XV. S.l. [Paris : Godonnesche, 1736]. - In-4, dark brown morocco, boards decorated in the Duseuil style, ornate ribbed spine, gilt lace inside, marbled paper double endpapers, gilt edges (H. Prat). This edition of the collection of medals from the reign of Louis XV is the fourth published by Nicolas Godonnesche (16..-1761). It comprises a total of 56 plates, including the title and the epistle to the king. The story of this publication is full of twists and turns. In 1727, Godonnesche, engraver and keeper of medals in the king's cabinet, completed the work and applied for a privilege to market it. This initiative aroused strong opposition from the Académie des Inscriptions, and more particularly from its perpetual secretary, Claude Gros de Boze. The latter, believing that only the Académie was entitled to design "medals for the king and the monarchy, to publish them and to explain them", demanded the refusal of the privilege, a public apology from Godonnesche, and confiscated the original plates. However, these measures did not prevent the publication of the work, nor its multiple reissues, each enriched with new elements. The work was even forged and extended by a certain Fleurimont. Unlike the first edition, which featured only 34 plates, this edition features 54. Each medal is dated, titled and captioned, illustrating the main events of Louis XV's reign, from his accession in 1715 to the education of Monsieur le Dauphin in 1736. The numbered plates are framed with a variety of copper engravings, featuring trophies, busts, escutcheons, musical instruments and other decorative motifs. The frontispiece is missing. A fine copy, handsomely bound. Each plate has been mitered. Used rubbing and scratches to binding.