Mémoire sur la reconstruction de la coupole des petites écuries à Versailles
A very fine copy printed on Dutch paper and preserved in its contemporary binding whose grotesque spine decoration imitates French bindings dating from the construction of the Petite écurie, around 1680.
With plates watercolored at the time.
André, Captain. Memoir on the reconstruction of the dome of the small stables at Versailles, carried out in the year XII, according to the carpentry system of Philibert Delorme.
Paris, printed by Henri Agasse, rue des Poitevins, no. 13, Year XII.
Quarto, 12 plates and 3 carefully hand-colored folding plates.
Marbled Havana calf, blind-ruled border on covers, smooth spine decorated with grotesque motifs, decorated edges, orange paper endpapers and flyleaves. Contemporary binding.
270 x 213 mm.
Rare first edition.
An interesting volume showcasing a project using the Philibert Delorme timber framing technique, brought back into relevance in the immediately preceding years, notably by Athanase Détournelle.
The Petite Écurie was built by J. Hardouin-Mansart in 1679–1682. It was intended for the king’s carriage horses and coaches.
Its name was given in contrast to the Grande Écurie, which was under the direction of the Grand Écuyer of the king, a more prestigious position than that of the Premier Écuyer, who was responsible for the Petite Écurie.
The Minister of War, through his circular of 6 Fructidor Year VIII, ordered that the methods of the most remarkable constructions be recorded in Journals or Memoirs.
Among the different timber framing systems, that of Philibert Delorme is commendable for its elegant simplicity, its economy of wood, and sometimes even of costs, and for its ability to use only small-sized pieces. This system is increasingly popular every day; however, its applications are still rare, and until this method becomes more widespread, it will not be pointless to describe in some detail new constructions of this type, especially when they offer challenges to overcome due to the size and shape of the buildings.
Such are the reasons that lead me to describe in this Memoir the methods used in the reconstruction of the dome of the Petite Écurie at Versailles.
I have preceded this description with a brief note on the old timber framing system of this dome, on the scaffolding used for demolition and reconstruction, and on the reasons for preferring the new system over the old one.
“The relief plan of the new structure has been placed in the model depot, established by the first inspector-general of engineering. This relief has the advantage of presenting both the overall view and the details of the construction at a glance, as represented in the attached plates; these are my first attempt at engraving, for which I ask the reader’s indulgence.”
Copy of the highest bibliophilic value on large Dutch paper and, a rare occurrence, bound in a contemporary binding, the grotesque decoration on the spine imitating French bindings dating from the construction of the Petite Écurie, around 1680.
