Plan de Paris.

In-folio of 21 plates mounted on tabs.
Red morocco, covers decorated with a fleur-de-lis roll, fleurs-de-lis at the corners, coat of arms of the city of Paris stamped in gold at the center, spine with raised bands decorated with gilt fleurs-de-lis, decorated edges, inner gilt fleur-de-lis roll, gilt edges. Period binding attributable to Padeloup.

550 x 440 mm.

[Turgot], Michel Etienne. Plan of Paris. Begun in the year 1734, drawn and engraved by order of Messire Michel-Etienne Turgot, Marquis de Sousmons […] Engraving completed in 1739 […]. Surveyed and drawn by Louis Bretez, engraved by Claude Lucas and written by Aubin.
S.l., 1739.

First printing of the most famous old map of Paris, known as the Turgot Plan.
Rothschild, 2312; Cohen, 807; Pichon Catalog, 1364.

Famous view of Paris; the plan consists of an assembly map and 20 double-page engraved plates depicting the capital, house by house, in a panoramic view.

The plan was commissioned by Turgot, magistrate appointed Provost of Merchants by Louis XV in 1729, who devoted his career to the beautification and sanitation of the capital.

The map he had created was intended to glorify Paris and promote its image.

“This enlightened administrator, father of the illustrious economist who was minister to Louis XVI, took several important measures to ensure a better knowledge of the city of Paris and its history. He was the one who had the famous Plan of Paris drawn up that now bears his name. He also created the position of historiographer of the city of Paris” (F. Barbier).

“The purpose of engraving this Map of the City of Paris was to show at a single glance all the buildings and all the streets it contains,” the publisher warns.

These plates of remarkable engraving provide a vivid depiction of the former layout, in perspective, of Parisian sites, residences, and monuments.

A precious and beautiful copy printed on heavy paper, adorned with superb proofs, bound in contemporary red morocco gilt with the coat of arms of the city of Paris.

The title is engraved at the center of a combination of two plates.

“The coat of arms of the city of Paris recalls the little boat, emblem of the Nautae Parisiaci, the oldest guild of the capital, and was granted to them eight centuries ago. Everyone knows the motto ‘Fluctuat nec mergitur’; other similar mottos: ‘Fluctuabit at nunquam mergitur’, ‘Fluctuatat nunquam mergitur’, which were also attributed to Paris, express, like the official formula, the idea of the city’s vitality despite the perils and dangers it has faced, adding the conviction that it will always emerge victorious from hardship.” (O. Hermal, pl. 2121).