MARMONTEL, Jean-François. The Incas, or the destruction of t - Lot 246

MARMONTEL, Jean-François. The Incas, or the destruction of the Peruvian Empire. First edition of this work by Jean-François Marmontel, illustrated by Moreau le jeune. Paris, Lacombe, 1777. 2 vol. in-8, fawn basane marbled with black, smooth spines decorated with gilt irons, red titles, boards framed with a gilt frieze, gilt roulette at the edges, yellow edges. XII - 338 pp. - 1 pl.n.ch. and 380 pp. - 2 ff.n.ch., a frontispiece and ten engravings after Moreau le jeune (1741-1814). Slight rubbing and traces of wear, 3.5 cm split at upper edge of first volume, wormholes at opposite edge, rare foxing. First edition of this fictionalized account of the fall of the Inca Empire by Pizarro and his companions. In addition to the frontispiece, the story is illustrated by ten rare serpents, drawn by Moreau le jeune and engraved in etching and burin mainly by Nicolas De Launay, Antoine-Jean Duclos and Jean-Baptiste Simonet, but also by Helman, Née and Leveau. Fine copies with pleasant engravings. Sources : - Chemerzin, VII, 463