BASAN, Pierre-François (engraver). — Catalogue raisonné des différens objets de curiosites dans les sciences et arts, qui composoient le cabinet de feu Mr. Mariette Controleur général de la Grande Chancellerie de France, honoraire Amateur de l'Academie Rle. de Peinture, et de celle de Florence.Paris, the author and G. Desprez, 1775. 8vo. With an engraved allegorical frontispiece, an engraved title page, 4 engraved plates (3 full-page, 1 folding), and 1 folding leaf with extensive engraved notes on one of the objects. Further with woodcut head- and tailpieces, and decorated woodcut initials. 19th-century marbled paper over boards.

XVI, 418 pp.The renowned auction catalogue of Pierre-Jean Mariette's celebrated art cabinet. The catalogue was compiled by Pierre-François Basan and it serves as an extensive overview with illustrations of Mariette's collections. An indispensable reference for scholars of 18th-century collecting, the catalogue not only reflects Mariette’s encyclopaedic knowledge and discerning taste but also provides provenance details of many artworks and books that later entered prominent European collections.Pierre-Jean Mariette (1694-1774) was a leading French engraver, art historian, dealer, and collector. He was entrusted by King Louis XV to catalogue the Royal print collection. His encyclopaedic collection of prints and drawings had an undeniable influence on later connoisseurship, inspiring exhibitions at the Louvre and the Morgan Library.With manuscript annotations in brown ink throughout, detailing names of buyers, auction prices, and additional information about the items listed. Also with a dated manuscript inscription on the front pastedown ("Souvenier bien affectueur a Mr. L. Gougy ... Martin 17 Janvier 1908") written in black ink below a small engraved illustration of a donkey. The boards are slightly rubbed, occasional minor foxing. Otherwise in good condition.l Brunet III,1430; Cohen de Ricci 115; Cicognara 4462.