Pierres antiques gravées, sur lesquelles les graveurs ont mis leur nom. Dessinées et gravées en cuivre sur les originaux [...] par Bernard Picart [...] expliquées par Philippe de Stosch [...] = Gemmae antiquae caelatae, scalptorum nominibus insignitae [...].

Folio: [6]-xxi-[1]-97-[1] pp., 70 pl. (last ff. sl. brown. and dampstained in upper corners, some marg. stains).

Contemp. marbled calf (sl. rubbed, corners sl. dam.), triple gilt fillets on covers, gilt orn. spine on 6 raised bands (defect. at head and tail, joints sl. rubbed, upper joint locally split.), spr. edges. Good copy.

1st edition of the Latin text of Ph. von Stosch (1691-1757), Prussian diplomat, archaeologist and art connoisseur, and of the parallel French translation by the French historian Henri-Philippe de Limiers (16x-1728). Ill. with 70 superb plates "much enlarged over the originals, but indicating size with a scale" (Sinkankas) representing "choice engraved gems depicted and described from among the many in the great collection assembled by Baron von Stosch" (id.); large engr. vignettes on Latin and French titles, some headpieces. Von Stosch's collection was sold after his death to Frederick the Great of Prussia for 30.000 ducats plus an annual "rent" of 400 ducats. Ref. Conlon 24:525 (= BN, BL, NUC). - SInkankas 6379 (extensive description). - Cicognara 1016. - Cohen 959. - STCN.