Fragments d'Architecture du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance D'Apres Les Releves & Restaurations des Anciens Penionnaires de L'Academie de France a Rome, Volume I, Volume II

Paris: Charles Massin et Cie, Editeur. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Good. Elephant Folio 23" tall. Hector D'Espouy. Scarce in the trade, there being currently no additional sets, complete in two volumes, available on-line. Another fine, collectible set by the same author as of Fragments D'Architecture Antique. Collated as complete in two massively heavy, oversized folio-format volumes. They measure 18 1/2" x 13 1/2" in height and width, respectively, both in First Edition state. 100 fine heliogravures / photogravures in sepiatone by Hector D'Espouy (1854-1929) to each volume. Bound in publisher's original half (i.e., nearly complete) red cloth over burgundy-colored, pebbly, seeming leather in portfolio, with still sharp and distinct gilt lettering to cover and spine. Several of the silk linen cloth ties are absent. Covers are considerably worn, not much soiled, plentiful scuffing to and some cloth loss thereof, else structurally sound but with splits to spine heads and feet. First double-elephant folio leaf with half-title to front, publisher information verso, then title page in stark black-and-white and with arresting publisher's vignette. Publication date not stated there, but 1905 publication date. "Table Explicative des Planches" follows, in double columns, in seven pages. Then quite gorgeous duotone illustrations in heliogravure on heavy card stock paper, titled and captioned and with helpful legends, stock measuring 17 1/2" x 12", after illustrations by Hector D'Espouy and printed by Charles Schmid. Vignette on each title page. Waffling along stock edge but nowhere near images, which are generally 13" x 8 1/2". All in, a visual feature of Middle Age architectural imagination and reconstruction made to come alive by several score reproduced heliogravures/photogravures, a then standard method for printing photographs. Of Volume 2, "Table Explicative des Planches," then the same number of 100 heliogravures in sepiatone, quite fine. Same kinds of scuffing to, loss of cloth of to front cover, splits to spine foot, bleed-through of red cloth inside front flap to top of eight-page booklet including title page, title page vignette, waffling to plate edges but unobtrusive to plates themselves. The plates are magnificently dramatic, clear and stark.Member, I.O.B.A., C.B.A., and adherent to the highest ethical standards. Additional postage may be required for oversize or especially heavy volumes, and for sets.