Lot 08033

BULLET Pierre, “ARCHITECTURE PRATIQUE qui comprend la construction générale des bâtiments […] Avec une explication et une Conference […] Edition Nouvelle, revue & corrigee […] Ouvrage tres-utile aux Architecte, ancien Inspecteur […] batir”, a Paris, chez Herissant Fils, 1768 (M. DCC. LXVIII). In small 8vo, p. xxxii+616. With frontispiece and (12) engraved plates (4 of which folding), folding printed table.

A revised and greatly enlarged edition of this well-known text book on the costing of building work by the Parisian architect Pierre Bullet (1639-1716), first published in 1691. The extensive revisions incorporated in this edition had first been made in an edition of 1755 by the Parisian architect Cosme Louis Briard-Descoutures, prepared by him, remarkably enough, while serving a sentence in the Bastille for operating a clandestine printing press. The only edition of this title is held in the British Architectural Library is one of 1732 (BAL Cat 491).

Contemporary full calf, back with 5 ribs decorated with golden floral boxes, golden title on red moroccan label; extremities rather rubbed, corners slightly bumped and chipped at head and foot of spine. Some light internal browning, with a few humidity marks. Marbled end papers and edges, clean and very tight inside. Good copy.