[RUSSIA - POLAND] CONTANT D'ORVILLE, André-Guillaume. The Sp - Lot 282

[RUSSIA - POLAND] CONTANT D'ORVILLE, André-Guillaume. The Splendor of Poland and Russia. First edition of this excellent historical compilation in a lavish contemporary binding. Paris, J.P. Costard, 1769. 2 tomes in 2 in-8 volumes, each bound in full fawn calfskin, smooth spine with grotesque decoration featuring repeated gilt stars, title and volume number labels in black leather, rich gilt roulette framing the covers, gilt interior roulette and roulette on the edges, guilloché headbands, gilt edges. CXL–296 pp. and 4 unnumbered folios (approval and publisher’s catalog); 2 unnumbered folios (half-title, title page), LXXXVIII and 374 pp. Spines and edges slightly rubbed, a few small scratches, foxing mainly on the first few leaves. First edition of this compilation by Contant d’Orville (c. 1716–1796), a writer and encyclopedist who also contributed to the universal dictionary published by Costard in 1772. The two volumes—the first devoted to the history of Poland, the second to that of Russia—are each preceded by preliminary remarks and a chronological table. The history of each country is then presented in chronological order, highlighting the most important historical events. A fine copy.