[China. Helman] Faits memorables des empereurs de la Chine,

tirés des annales Chinoises, dédiés à Madame, orné de 24 estampes in 4o. Gravés par Helman, d'après les dessins originaux de la Chine tirés du Cabinet de Mr. Bertin (...). Paris, "chez l'auteur, graveur de Madame"/ M. Ponce, 1788, engraved title page, dedication and 24 plates each with facing engraved text leaf, original (?) cardboard with manuscript title on front board, 4to (31 x 23 cm.).

Here and there with small tears and/ or stains. Lacks backstrip and boards with edgewear. Good, untrimmed copy with engraved bookplate of Le Chevallier [Pierre Victor] de Besenval de Bronstatt [Brünstatt] (1722-1794, "capitain aux gardes suisses") to inside front board. Slightly above a slightly later letterpress bookseller's label of Frère, ainé "Libraire et marchand de papier sur le Port". The title lists in print the various forms in which the book is sold (also "broché en carton"), with the accompanying prices. Our copy is printed on Papier Vélin, then only recently introducted in France by Benjamin Franklin. Together with the version on "le grand Papier", it was the most expensive "regular" version of the book. The book appeared in 4 bimonthly instalments, beginning on 15 April 1788.