Henry Havard (1838-1921). Dictionnaire de l'Ameublement et de la Décoration, depuis le XIII è siècle jusqu'à nos jours. Printed in Paris by Maison Quantin, (1887- 1890). Four very stout volumes, 32x23cm, and containing more than 2000 pages, 2500 text illustrations, and 250+ engraved and lithographed plates. (The pagination is actually made in columns, with two columns per page, so 1086 columns= 543pp, and so: Vol 1, vii, 1086pp; Vol II 1250pp; Vol 3, 1222pp; Vol 4, 1638pp.) This copy is ex-library from a NYC library, and rebound in a workman's very sturdy blue cloth--given that each volume weighs about five pounds (or more) the rebinding did the reader a favor by providing such a very useful addition to the book. Blue cloth; call numbers gilt-stamped on spine bottom; there are perforated library stamps (about 1x1.5") on each title page; AND on nearly every plate there is a small (half-inch or so) circular library stamp in the bottom corner of each image--this doesn't detract too terribly much from the image, though the stamp is mostly visible. If this is a "scholar's copy", I would say "machts nichts", especially as it is offered at a good price. Now, regarding the book itself, it is a wonderful and encyclopedic work on decoration and design from the 13th century to the 19th century. For example, there is a very good section on locks and locked boxes, and there is a good wide selection of professions from the well known work by Abraham Bosse. $300
Here it is, online, via Gallica:
http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6154896q.r=%22Dictionnaire%20de%20l%27Ameublement%20et%20de%20la%20D%C3%A9coration%2C%20depuis%22?rk=85837;2
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