Paris, Treuttel et Würtz, 1819-1826. 14 parts in 14. 8vo (21.5 x 13.5 cm). Frontispiece (portrait of the author), 6,136 pp.; seven additional frontispieces, 204 portraits, (four hand-coloured), 69 original letters of which many large, folded, six letters in facsimile, 12 signed printed documents, 13 original printed billets, 67 other engraved plates of which 13 tinted and two large, folded and hand-coloured. Uniform original red half morocco over red grained boards. Rich gilt spines.

A unique set of this rare work as it contains many additional original letters, autographs and portraits of kings, dukes, marquises, scientists, revolutionaries and other major figures of 18th century France, including autographed or signed letters by Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Napoléon Bonaparte, as well as portraits of people who had a great influence on French history and politics, such as Charlemagne, Voltaire, Corneille, Jean Baptiste Colbert (d. 1683), James Cook, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, etc., including hand-coloured plates of the Duc d'Enghien, Marie Thérèse, and Louis XVIII. Also included is a hand-coloured plate of the first flight with a helium balloon by Jacques Charles and Nicolas-Louis Robert (1783). This is the major work of the French historian Jean Charles Dominique De Lacretelle (1766-1855), also known as "Lacretelle le jeune". The first volume is titled "quatrième edition" but all early editions are rare. In part VII, many illustrations depict events leading to and playing a role in the French Revolution. The portraits and some of the engravings of revolutionary events date from later, 19th century publications. Of many, the source is unknown. This work was first, partly, published as Précis historique de la révolution in six parts (Brunet, 23941). The author wrote a Histoire de France pendant le xviiie siècle separately, also in six parts (Brunet, 23882), which was followed by this apparently expanded and corrected combined edition in 14 parts, not mentioned by Brunet. Uncut. Two 40 pp. Treuttel & Würtz catalogues and some smaller catalogues bound in the rear of several volumes. The "Table des sommaires de ce volume" of volume VII is bound in the rear of volume VIII. Slight rubbing to the boards, some scattered foxing, some manuscript letters a bit soiled, but overall a clean and really attractive set. The "naked" version of this work is rare, this "dressed" copy is downright unique. Brunet III, p 731. Not in Tissandier, Bibliographie aéronautique.