Lot 08074

Le Roy Julien-David, “Les Navires des Anciens, consideres par rapport a leur Voiles, et a l usage qu on en porroit faire dans notre Marine; Ouvrage servant de suite a celui qui a pour titre, La Marine des Anciens Peuples”, Paris, Chez Nyon aine, Libraire, 1783. FIRST EDITION. 8vo, pp. xliii, [1], 240. COMPLETE including 3 engraved folding plates.

Julien-David Le Roy was a French architect and archaeologist, one of the first to study the ancient Greek monuments, with his results published in his important work “Les Ruines des plus beaux bâtiments de la Grèce qui parait en” issued in 1758, 3 years before Stuart and Revet’s “The Antiquities of Athens”. He was also one of the first to study the ancient maritime history, aiming the better education of the French Navy officers. The current copy is the first edition of this essay on ancient ships.

Bound in mottled calf. Gilt lettering on spine and boards paneled in gilt. Front joint partly cracked, wear along edges and corners. Just occasional spotting inside. Ex-libris “A. A. Beaujour / Caen” on title page, plates and few more leafs.