Histoire de Tous Les Peupl es et des Revolutions du Monde

Paris. Eugene Penaud et Compie. n.d. c. 1845. Bound in half gilt titled calfskin and marbled paper covered boards. Raised bands. 8vo. 6" x 9.5". Illustrated with 74 full page, tissue-guarded plates of which 64 are magnificently hand-coloured. Complete as issued. Collation of set : Vol. 1 - Spain, Portugal,Belgium and Holland ; Vol. 2 - China,Japan,Persia,Arabia,Turkey,India,Egypt, Algiers, Tunisia, Tripoli : Vol. 3 - Russia, Poland, Sweeden, Denmark ; Vol. 4 - England. Three of the four volumes ( 1, 2 and 3) have been very apparently exposed to moisture resulting in warping to boards as well as soiling and wrinkling to paper. Due to tissue guards, most plates present damage only to margins and verso's of images, although in several instances, light to moderate impairment has extended into the extremity of the illustration. Nevertheless, the plates have retained their crisp vibrancy, seeming to leap off the page. Proper framing and matting would conceal said damage in most cases. Volume 4 (England) is unaffected by moisture and is extremely crisp and bright. All in all, a most serviceable gathering of exquisite mid-19th century hand-coloured art.