Rare Book Plate | "Voyage Pittoresque de la Grèce" Vol.1, Paris 1782, Pl.116 Des Hommes Villages, 'Vestiges du Temple de Minerve Polias a Priene'. Folio (285 x 320mm), 2 volume set in good condition sold at Sotheby's, private collection. 200+ plates including maps, sea and landscapes, inhabitants and animals, and architecture in complete book, however this collection is missing plates, and front book cover, spine, and title page. Back brown leather book cover available with 2 interior marbled pages. Edges of pages Russian gilted. Elaborate head and tail pieces. Worn condition.

Marie-Gabriel-Florent-Auguste Comte de Choiseul-Gouffier (1752-1817) was a French nobleman, traveller and diplomat, born in Paris. Choiseul-Gouffier travelled with the artist Jean-Baptiste Hilaire to the Levant in 1776. The author's unreserved admiration for Greece and its people, combined with the skill of Hilaire's recreation of its topography and costume was received with great enthusiasm by the French public. On its appearance in 1782 the work was so successful that in 1784 Choiseul-Gouffier was appointed ambassador to Constantinople. A second volume appeared in 1809 and a third (i.e. volume 2, part 2) was published posthumously in 1822. The work is particularly notable for its plates, including as they do fine views, architectural details, accurate maps and head and tailpieces. Despite the title there is considerable information and many illustrations of Turkey and Constantinople.