[DURAND, Edmé Antoine.] WITTE, Jean de.

Description des antiquités et objets d'art qui composent le cabinet de feu ... E. Durand.

Paris, Imprimerie de Firmin Didot Frères, Fevrier 1836. Large 8vo, pp. [4], iv, 544, with 5 engraved plates; a crisp and fresh copy, occasionally with a few neat contemporary Ms. annotions in the margins; bound in contemporary half calf, and marbled boards, richly gilt spine with black morocco label. Unidentified early 19th century red morocco gilt oval booklabel showing an Athenian owl; later booklabel by Beguin also with owl. First edition. The catalogue of one of the richest antiquities collections in 19th century France. Chevalier Edmé Antoine Durand (1768-1835) was a career diplomat who travelled widely in Europe. His collection of antiquities, especially his painted vases, counted among the finest in France. The collection described here was his second collection, again particularly strong on painted vases, gems, sculptures and coins. Durand's first collection, mostly painted vases, was sold en bloc to the Nation in 1825; it formed the nucleus of the newly established Etruscan Museum in the Louvre.The Supplement with prices and purchaser's names, printed later in 1836, is not included here.Lugt 14322.

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