Bonne & Desmarest's Atlas Encyclopedique - Two Volumes with 140 Engraved Maps & 2 Frontispieces

Bonne & Desmarest's Atlas Encyclopedique - Two Volumes with 140 Engraved Maps & 2 Frontispieces
This exceptional two volumes with 140 engraved maps is Atlas Encyclopedique by Ricobert Bonne and Nicolas Desmarest. The work was published by Hotel de Thou in Paris in 1787 and 1788.

The volumes are bound in decorative contemporary half calf, spines richly gilt, two color labels. The work is complete with 140 engraved maps and 2 frontispieces. There are numerous in-text charts.

The work covers every land known at the time, with a handful of world maps, and maps of varying locality describing every part of the world.

Rigobert Bonne (1727-1794) was the chief cartographer of France at the end of the monarchy. The maps he drew are highly accurate and less artistic than those that came before, representing a move towards practicality and away from artfulness.

Nicolas Desmarest (1725-1815) was a French geologist who, for much of his early life, traveled Europe on foot and was a member of the l’Academie Royale des Sciences

Provenance: Modern bookplate present


Paper Size: ~ 9" by 11 1/2"


Paper Type or Special Features: Two Volumes with 140 Engraved Maps & 2 Frontispieces

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. This is a nice, wide-margined printing. There is some slight browning to folds or occasional minor staining. There is a small outer corner of a text sheet supplemented. There is some light rubbing to bindings, bumped corners, and superficial worming to the leather of one front cover. There may be a few minor marks or imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.