Beschreibung:

[BEAULIEU, Sebastien de Pontault, Sieur de (1612-1674).] Les Glorieuses Conquestes De Louis Le Grand . Paris: Chez l'Autheur, 1694. Magnificent and rare work illustrating the many military campaigns waged by Louis XIV throughout Europe by means of detailed town plans and views, with accompanying plans of the battle orders. The 'Grand Beaulieu' formed part of a larger series, sometimes known as the 'Cabinet du Roi', collected at the command of the French king to illustrate his achievements. Many of the views are printed from 2 plates, comprising a more-or-less standard frame plate with the subject inserted, and with a portrait on an overslip pasted within a medallion cartouche at the upper centre. Many of the portrait plates show the title on overslips pasted on in a similar manner. See Pastoureau Beaulieu XV, pp.37-48; Brunet I, 1444. 2 volumes, folio (495 x 365mm). 2 engraved titles, portrait of Beaulieu engraved by Lubin after Pesne, dedication, and 193 fine etched and engraved – mostly double-page – plates showing battle plans, town views, portraits, armorial and memorial plates, many engarved by Perelle or Cochin, comprising 82 of the 84 subjects called by Pastoureau in vol. I, and 90 of the 93 called for by Pastoureau in vol. II, but with an additional 21 portraits and other plates apparently not mentioned by Pastoureau, most plans accompanied by letterpress descriptive text, but several – mainly in vol. II – with a leaf of manuscript giving a brief title and description in place of letterpress, manuscript contents lists inserted into each vol. (the plates mostly in fine impressions throughout, occasional very faint browning). Contemporary mottled calf, gilt edges (rebacked and recornered). Provenance : United Service Club (bookplates).