Nolhac, Pierre de — Versailles: Volumes 1 and 2

Paris, France, C. Eggimann, 1912. Hardcover. Red boards with gilt text on spine. Vol I: 14 pp. 80 bw plates on unnumbered leaves. Vol II: 81-160 bw plates on unnumbered leaves. Introduction Vol I : "Collections of plates composed of decorative motifs from the Chateau de Versailles have been published on many occasions, and the curiosity of the public, the demands of artists and builders never tire of desiring even more. Erected by French taste in the most sumptuous period of its history, modified and embellished in the following age, this great edifice constitutes an almost inexhaustible repertoire for anyone who wants to know our three modern styles, Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI, and to be inspired by their creations. Thousands of plates would be needed to fully utilize this extraordinary wealth accumulated by two centuries of art; and one is always divided, when one is busy making a choice, between the pleasure one feels in revealing to the public unknown or little-noticed pieces, and the regret of not making more known. We must leave to our successors the pleasure of a few discoveries. What should above all require our diligence is to discard suspect and restored pieces and to present significant documents with dates as precise as possible. On this point, a new taste has arisen, which it is entirely legitimate to satisfy. Not long ago, these works from very different periods remained mixed up in books on the history of Versailles and in the collections that produced them.. Good, moderate wear and aging of boards. Exlib with stickers inside covers, numbers and other penciling present throughout - pages with material are unmarred and excellent. some foxing on textblock.