La Theorie et la Pratique de Jardinage, ou l'On Traite a Fond des Beaux Jardins Apellés Communément les Jardins de Plaisance et de Proprete

The Hague: Pierre Husson, 1715. 2 volumes. 4to. (10 x 7 1/2 inches). "Nouvelle Edition Augmentée Considerablement." Vol. I: *-**4 A-Pp4. [i]-xvi [1]-293. 310 pp. Vol. II: 38 engraved plates, 33 are double-plates, 5 are folding. Woodcut head and tail-pieces, historiated initials, and illustrations in-text. Title printed red and black with woodcut printer's device, Dedication with engraved coat-of-arms, Avis, Table of contents, Bookbinder's directions, Parts I-IV, Errata, Table des matieres. Contemporary full calf expertly rebacked to style and ruled gilt, five raised bands forming six compartments on spine, gilt-lettered in second and fourth compartments, bookplate on front pastedowns, within a brown half morocco-backed clamshell box

Expanded and corrected edition of the most influential French work on garden design of the first half of the eighteenth century.

"The author was at various times Maitre de Comptes for Paris and counsellor to the King of France. A writer, naturalist, and collector, he studied architecture under Alexandre Le Blond, to whom the work has sometimes been incorrectly ascribed, drawing under Bernard Picart and painting under Roger de Piles. Dezallier describes the manner of gardening practiced by Andre Le Notre (1613-1700), who designed or redesigned the gardens of Versailles, Tuileries, and Fountainebleau. The work deals with garden design and such details as the creation of parterres, mazes, garden buildings, ornaments, and fountains. According to Henrey, Le Blond, the noted architect and designer of the Peterhof garden, did the original sketches for about three quarters of the plates, with the remainder done by the author." [Johnston] "It is especially valuable as a record of the manner of gardening as practiced by Le Notre. The original French work appeared anonymously in Paris in 1709, and in the opinion of Gothein: 'Never before did a book lay down the principles of any style so surely and so intelligibly in instructive precepts.' The popularity of the work is attested by the fact that it was published five times in Paris, three times at the Hague, and three times in London." [Henrey]

Brunet II, 523. De Ganay 45. Henrey II, pp. 491-493. Hunt 421. Johnston 324.