Traité De La Coupe Des Pierres, Ou Méthode Facile Et Abrégée, Pour aisément se perfectionner en cette Science. Par J.B. De La Rue, Architecte. Dédié Au Roi.
A Paris, Rue Dauphine,: Chez Charles-Antoine Jombert, Libraire du Roi pour l'Artillerie & le Génie, à l'Image Notre-Dame., M. DCC. LXIV. Avec Approbation Et Privilege Du Roi.
Physical Description
[18], 185, [1] p., add. engr. t.-pl., pl. 1-67, A-F [i.e. 107 pl. on 67 sheets] (31 fold.): illus.; 431 mm. (Folio).
General Note
Many of the numbered and lettered plates are printed on rectos and versos of sheets; many have bis numbers. Thirty-one are double and folding. One has flaps (pl. 33). The title-page vignette is numbered 'Pl 81'.
Contents
[Add. engr. t.pl., t.p.] - Extrait des Registres de l'Académie Royale d'Architecture; Privilege Du Roi - Catalogue Des Livres D'Architecture Qui se trouvent chez Charles-Antoine Jombert - [Dedic.] - Preface; Avis Aux Appareilleurs Et Tailleurs De Pierre; Extrait Des Registres de l'Academie Royale d'Architecture - Table Des Parties Et Chapitres - [Text: 1. Des Portes Et Arriere-Voussures; 2. Des Maîtresses Voutes; 3. Des Trompes; 4. Des Descentes Et Aba-Jours; 5. Des Escaliers] - Petit Traité De Stereotomie, Appliqué A L'Usage De La Coupe Des Pierres - Errata; Avertissement.
Responsibility Note
Of the plates most are unsigned; some are signed 'A. Coquart' or 'A.C.'; pl.10 is signed as engraved by A. Coquart and Lucas and written by Delahaye. The added engraved title-plate is signed as designed by Bertin and engraved by Thomassin.
Of the in-text illustrations the title-page vignette is signed as designed by Cochin filius and engraved by F.A. Aveline; headpieces, tailpieces, decorated initials and woodcut diagram (p.3) are unsigned.
The work is dedicated by the author to the King (Louis XV).
References
RIBA, Early printed books, 2 (1995), no. 1766.
Summary Note
This work was first published in 1728, and another edition (or issue) appeared in 1738 (this latter date is retained on the added engraved title-plate of the present 1764 edition). The plates and engraved ornaments are reprinted from the first edition, with minor alterations; woodcut and typographic ornaments are not repeated. The title-page vignette is new.
It has been suggested that the plates of this book may have influenced the designs for vaults by George Dance the younger and Sir John Soane - especially the form in which a domed vault is supported by four pendentives all forming part of the same sphere.
Provenance
Acquired between 1769 and 1802. Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Binding Note
18th-century mottled calf, gilt-decorated spine, brown morocco spine-label lettered 'Coupe Des Pierre'.
Subject
Stonecutting - Engineering - Techniques - Masonry - Dressed stone - Architecture - Vaults (structural elements) - France - History - 18th century
Manuals - Instructional materials - France - 18th century
Pictorial works - France - 18th century