“THE BEGINNING OF MODERN ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION IN THE AREA”: LE CHEVALIER’S SEARCH FOR TROY, SCARCE 1802 FOLIO ATLAS VOLUME, WITH LOVELY FOLDING MAPS AND ENGRAVED DOUBLE-PAGE VIEWS

(TROY) LECHEVALIER, Jean-Baptiste. Recueil des Cartes, Plans, Vues et Medailles, pour Servir au Voyage de la Troade. Paris: Dentu, 1802. Folio (10 by 13-1/2 inches), contemporary full brown mottled calf sympathetically rebacked and recornered, original black morocco spine labels laid down, raised bands, marbled endpapers. $4200.

First edition of the plate volume to illustrate Le Chevalier’s archaeological expedition in search of Troy, with 37 engraved plates and maps on 29 sheets, 16 double-page or folding, with plates of Corfu, Zante, Ithaca and Athens, in addition to fine views of the plain of Troy.

This is Le Chevalier’s definitive work on Troy. “Le Chevalier’s theory as to the actual location of Troy was incorrect, but the work nevertheless marks the beginning of modern archaeological exploration in the area” (Blackmer). To reach the site, Le Chevalier traveled to Constantinople via the Ionian islands, Athens and the Aegean islands, which are represented in this atlas as well. Issued separately to accompany the third edition of Le Chevalier’s text in three octavo volumes, this atlas volume is often found by itself (Blackmer owned only the atlas). Text in French. Blackmer 994. Atabey 698.

Maps and plates clean and fine, with crisp impressions. Some rubbing to covers of contemporary calf, nicely rebacked and restored. An excellent copy of this scarce and finely illustrated work.