c1755 – DIDEROT – OVER 80 PLATES –ARCHITECTURE ET PARTIES QUI EN DÉPENDENT

Translated from the French – ARCHITECTURE AND PARTS DEPENDING ON IT… from the “Encyclopedia, or a Systematic Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Crafts”, Edited by Denis Diderot (French, 1713–1784)

Appears to be a mid-19th century binding with black leather spine, marbled boards and endpapers – clean and tight. Guessing rebound at some point with plates preceding the text. Following the over 80 plates is the Contents with listing and description of 81 plates (pages 1-47). then what appears to be different pages 19 through 30 with further details. The plates, and their explanation are devoted to architecture, and extracted (most likely) from the second volume of plates of the Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers (or Encyclopédie).

The first section of plates focuses on orders of architecture, facades, plans and sections as well as the interior of religious and civil buildings, theatres, etc, all identified. The second part has details dealing in particular with stereotomy (geometry), masonry, tiles, roofing, tiling and the instruments which are necessary.

Below my illustrations are details of the first 30 copper plates, the majority of which fold out to three panels (only about two exhibit closed tears, one a small corner missing). I have seen some of these plates retail for up to $75 each and more, and they are perfect for decorating an architect’s office. I ran out of steam detailing the next 58 plates which include: du Bagne; Navale; theatres; windmill; masonry; tools for various building crafts; brickyard; roofing; and more. Overall a wonderful collection of plates to keep as bound, or for framing.

First a sampling of plates — details are below the illustrations at end.

TEXT BEGINS following the plates

REVIEW OF PAGES/PLATES – in order

1- Suppl. Pl 1 – Architecture (single page) details of a column
2- Suppl. Pl. 2 – Architecture (single page) perspective for cutting column flutes
3- Suppl. Pl. 3 – Architecture (single page) – pediments top of columns
4- Suppl. Pl. 4 – Architecture (single page) – curves on top of columns
5- Pl. 2, 3 et 4 – Architecture, Dimension des Ordres et Trace des Moulures – fold-out to three panels
6- Suppl. Pl. 5 – Architecture (single page) – top of two columns
7- Pl.5 – Architecture, Pieds d’Estraux des cinq Orders – (single page) – googled title and got – Architecture, Oriental Feet of the Five Orders, Piedestale, Signed: Benard direx, Pl. 5, after p. 48, Benard (dir.), 1778, Denis Diderot; M. d’Alembert: Encyclopédie,
8- Suppl. Pl 6 – Architecture (single page) – front elevation – four columns, three statues atop
9- Supplement Pl. 7 – Architecture (single page) – partial column
10- Supplement Pl 8. – Architecture (single page) – similar to above
11- Supplement Pl. 9 – Architecture (single page) – similar to 7 and 8
12- Pl. 9 – Architecture (single page) – at top – “Balustrades et Balustres realties aux cinq Ordres” – plate signed Benard Direx (found pair if his engravings – $1245 – single engraving – lady – on ebay $250) – Robert Bernard Direx 1734 – 1786
13- Supplement Pl. 10 – Architecture (single page)  – column
14- Pl. 10 – Architecture (single page) “Portes relatives aux cinq Ordonnances des Ordres d’Architecture: – – plate signed Benard Direx
15 – Pl. 11  – Architecture (single page) “Croises relatives aux cinq Ordonnances des Ordres d’Architecture” – – plate signed Benard Direx
16 – Pl 12 – Architecture (single page) – “Divers Examples de Frontons a miter et a eviter dans la Decoration des Bâtiments” plate signed Benard Direx
17 – Supple. Pl. 12 -Architecture (single page)  – map location Canal du Duc, then view of canal aqueduct  and arch
18 – Pl 13 – Architecture – folds-out to three panels – PLAN “Facade del la Fontaine erigee a Paris Rue de Grenelle…” plate signed Benard Direx
19- Pl. 14 – Architecture (single page) – “Face dune Fontaine Publique” plate signed Benard Direx
20- Pl. 15 – Architecture – folds-out to three panels – “Colonnade du Louvre” plate signed Benard Direx – others dating at 1799 – others of his plates 
21- Pl. 16 – Architecture – folds-out to three panels = “Architecture, Plan au Rez de Chaussee d’un Projet pout l’Abbaye Rle. de Panthemont Rue de Grenelle, Faubourg St. Germain.
22. Pl. 17. – Architecture – folds-out to three panels = “Architecture, Plan du Premier Etage du Project de l’Elise  et de L’Abbaye de Panthemont.” – Architecture – folds-out to three panels
23- Pl. 18 – Architecture – folds-out to three panels = “Architecture, Plan du Second Stage de l’Abbaye de Panthemont.” plate signed Benard Direx – small tear lower right corner – margin only
24- Pl. 19. – Architecture – folds-out to three panels – “Architecture – Elevation de Project de la Facade Exterieure de l’Elise et des Batimens de l’Abbaye Royale de Panthemont du cote de la Rue de Grenelle.” – plate signed Benard Direx
25- Pl. 20. – Architecture – folds-out to three panels – “Architecture – Elevation de Project de la Facade Exterieure des Batimens de l’Abbaye Royale de Panthemont du cote du Jardin.” – plate signed Benard Sculp.
26 – Pl. 21. – Architecture – three panels – Coupe et Profil de l’Eglise de Panthemont projettee – signed Benard Direx
27 – Pl. 23 – Architecture – three panels – Plan au Rez de Chaufsee l’un grand Hotel, du debin de Jacques Francois Blondel, Architecte du Roi
28 – Pl 24 – Architecture – three panels – Elevation du cote de l’entree l’un grand hotel avec ses dependances du dessein de J. F. Blondel Architecte du Roi (tears)
29 – Pl 25 – Architecture – Projedt d’un Plan au Rez. De Chaussee pour la maison de Me le Marquiz de Ville Franche a Avignon…s igned Benard Direx 26
30 – Pl – Architecture – Projet du Plan du premier Etate signed Benard Direx

about 60 to go – when I gave up detailing – the remaining plates are craft details, tools, etc.

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