TURPIN, François-Henri.

La France illustre, ou le Plutarque français. Paris, au bureau de l'Abonnement du Plutarque français, Sieur Deslauriers, 1775 - 1782. 3 vols. in-4. Full contemporary calf, triple fillet framed in cold on the boards, smooth spine decorated, red morocco title-pieces and black morocco tomato-pieces. Interesting biography of the most eminent French ministers, generals and magistrates published by subscription and issued in issues. The work, which according to Brunet is seldom complete, was issued in 52 issues forming 4 volumes in-4, with 48 engraved portraits. The present copy, composite and incomplete, contains 34 portraits (+1 for an Eloge). Volume I: 12 portraits. Year 1775: 6 issues, with 6 portraits, in continuous pagination. Year 1776: 6 issues, with 6 portraits, in continuous pagination. 718pp. Year 1777: Title page with the name of the publisher Lacombe, 1777. VIII pp, Dedication to the Prince of Kurakin, chamberlain to the Empress of Russia. LXXVI pp. Bound in fine of volume I : - SÉGUY. Funeral oration of Louis-Hector Duc de Villars peer and marshal of France. Paris, Prault, 1735. 47pp. Engraved title vignette, header, lettering and bas-de-lampe. Volume II: 10 portraits. Year 1777: 5 issues, the last numbered 5 - then "Seconde souscription - n°7", n°9, n°10, n°11, n°12. Subscription 6 is missing. Subscription n°8 - 1778 is bound after the text of the Navy, n°13 and last - 1779, n°13. And last quire of the third subscription. Deslauriers, 1782. Followed by: - TURPIN. Tableau historique de la marine françoise, depuis la Fondation de la Monarchie jusuq'à nos jours. Paris, L'Esprit, 1778. 68pp. Volume III : 12 portraits + 1 portrait. 1780 : Third subscription, in 12 issues, separate pagination, each with a portrait-frontispiece. The title pages of issues 4 to 12 are dated 1781 and 1782 (for issue 12). The title page of issue 6, bound in the middle of the issue. Bound at the end of volume III: - MARET. Eloge de M. Legouz de Gerland, ancien grand Bailli du Dijonnois. Dijon, Causse, 1774. A portrait-frontispice by De Vosge dated 1773 and a title vignette. Two table leaves, handwritten at the end of each volume. >Ex-libris handwritten Augusti then crossed out name. Brunet, V, 982. Misses one headpiece, corners dull.