Tableaux topographiques, pittoresques, physiques, historiques, moraux, politiques, littéraires, de la Suisse (vol. I); (and:) Tableaux de la Suisse ou voyage pittoresque fait dans les treize cantons et états alliés du Corps hélvetique; (followed by) Table analytique et raisonnée des Tableaux de la Suisse . par (F.A.) Quétant (vol. II); Tableaux de la Suisse, ou Voyage pittoresque fait dans les treize cantons et états alliés du Corps Helvétique (vol. 3: plates).

With frontispiece after Moreau le jeune engr. by Née, engr. title with view by Née, and 430 copper engravings numbered 1-278. Large folio. 19th century red morocco, spines with gilt lettering, gilt borders on covers, gilt inner dentelles, t.e.g., signed Koehler on spine of vol. I (somewhat rubbed, a few spots). Exlibris Christopher Tynor, Stoke Rochford Library, Lincolnshire. Paris, Clousier, Lamy, 1780-88. First edition. A nice copy of this precious and classic work on Switzerland, with fine views drawn by Bertaux, Besson, Brandoin, Châtelet, S.H. Grimm, Le Barbier, Pérignon, a.o., and engraved by Née, Niquet, Alix, de Longueil, Dequevauviller, Droyer, Borguet, Masquelier, Choffard, Aveline, a.o. Many leaves have two or more engravings, the numbering is sometimes repeated, sometimes there are several numbers on one leaf. There are 7 double-page maps (included in the numbering) by Clermont, one after Daniel Bruckner, one a view after B. A. Dunker. The plate volume has, on half-title verso, the portrait-medallions of Zurlauben and Laborde (no. 278 in the plate index). The majority of plates show picturesque views of the most famous places in Switzerland, some show historical events, portraits of eminent citizens, coins and seals, etc. Zurlauben (1720-1799) published the first volume anonymously making it seem is if it was Laborde's work. The second volume with a slightly different title bears Zurlauben's name. His monumental work offers a wealth of facts about Switzerland, and is a testimony to his vast erudition. He cites sources and writes with ease, but with a serious approach which earned him the esteem of fellow scholars at home and abroad. The work is dedicated to the count of Artois, Colonel-General of Switzerland. - Cohen/de Ricci 1075; Lewine 581; Lonchamp 3362; Haller I, 235; Wäber 38; Reynaud 573; Fürstenberg 46, 101, 110, 151; Feller/Bonjour 505f.; Brunet V, 1546; Barth 17338. GEOGRAPHY:TRAVEL ; HELVETICA: ALLGEMEIN ; GEOGRAPHIE, REISEN ; GRAPHIC ARTS:ILLUSTRATED BOOKS ;