LESSEPS, Ferdinand de. Letters, Diary, and Documents Relatin - Lot 202

LESSEPS, Ferdinand de. Letters, Diary, and Documents Relating to the History of the Suez Canal. (1854–1856 and 1857–1858). First edition dedicated to the early stages of one of the greatest French achievements of the 19th century. Beautiful signed bindings of the period. Paris, Didier et Cie, 1875. 2 in-8 volumes (first and second series), each bound in full red shagreen, ribbed spine, richly decorated panels, gilded framing frieze on the covers, gilded interior frieze, double gilded fillet on the edges, guilloché caps, gilt edges. Bindings signed Lécorché. III-464 and 416 pp. Slight wear from use, minimal soiling on the bindings. First edition. This volume covers the first two series, spanning the years 1854 to 1858, from the granting of the concession by Said Pasha through the creation of the Universal Suez Canal Company and the early stages of the project. Beautiful volumes, virtually free of foxing, in full, signed bindings.