This imposing work is exactly similar, and in every respect equal, to the celebrated Sketches of the Holy Land, by David Roberts. Although it is now offered at a great reduction, the difficulty of reproducing the illustrations insures the work being soon sought after, even at a premium on the published price.
Musée Francais et Musée Royal; ou, Recueil des TABLEAUX ET BAS-RELIEFS QUI COMPOSENT LES GALERIES NAPOLEON ET ROYALE, PAR ROBILLARD-PERONVILLE ET LAURENT. _Paris_, 1816-18.
BOTH SERIES COMPLETE, TOGETHER 6 VOLS., ATLAS FOLIO, £18 18s.
NOW OFFERED AT A LOWER PRICE THAN ON ANY PREVIOUS OCCASION. The “MUSÉE FRANCAIS,” in 4 vols., was published in 80 livraisons at 48 francs each, being 3,840 francs; with the “Musée Royal” the 6 vols. were published at over £300! Copies when sold by auction have never brought less than £50; and it is believed that the lowest price they have ever sold for on any previous occasion is £35.
The work comprises upwards of 500 large plates in the finest style of LINE ENGRAVING, from the most CELEBRATED PAINTINGS AND STATUES IS THE WORLD, with Descriptions and very masterly Dissertations, in FRENCH and ENGLISH, on the state of the Fine Arts in various ages, _Illustrated with Vignettes_.
It is possible that a passing apprehension that the Louvre might not always be allowed to retain the Art Treasures for which he had laid most of the countries of Europe under contribution for its choicest pieces, led NAPOLEON to think of forming this splendid series of Line Engravings, the cost of which, for engraving alone, exceeded _seventy-five thousand pounds sterling_, defrayed mostly from the Imperial Treasury. Since the publication of these volumes many of the paintings and sculptures have been claimed and restored to their rightful owners; and the dispersion of so many choice gems enhances the value of the work which describes them in a collected form.
_Mr. Hotten keeps sets richly bound in half red morocco, appropriately gilt._
Musée Secret de Naples.—A most curious work in a case, PRIVATELY PRINTED IN PARIS, _representing some of the more remarkable_ “Peintures, Bronzes, Mosaiques,” &c., _depicting the_ CEREMONIES OBSERVED AT THE EARLIEST KNOWN FORM OF WORSHIP. _Paris_, MD.CCC.XL.