HOMER. Homer’s *Iliad* and *Odyssey*, - Lot 16

HOMER. Homer’s *Iliad* and *Odyssey*, translated into French verse by M. de Rochefort (...). Paris: Royal Printing Office. 1781–1782. 2 volumes in-4, marbled calfskin, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, the coat of arms of France in the center, ribbed spine decorated with gilt fleurs-de-lis and the crowned initial “L” (contemporary binding). Title vignette and 49 copper-engraved headpieces at the beginning of each chapter, by BIOSSE; wood-engraved tailpieces. Translated into verse by the Hellenist Guillaume Dubois de Rochefort (1731–1788); this work earned its author the favor of the royal presses and a seat in the Académie des Inscriptions. A first edition had been published in 1777, in in-octavo format. The illustrations by Biosse, in the style of ancient bas-reliefs, are reproduced and enlarged in this beautiful edition from the Royal Printing Office. Cohen, col. 271 COPY FROM THE ROYAL LIBRARY with coats of arms on the covers and a crowned royal cipher on the spine. FROM THE LIBRARY OF EMMANUEL PHELIPPES-BEAULIEUX (1829–1874), a bibliophile and lawyer from Nantes, with his bookplate. The leather binding is worn, with wear to one corner and a cap, wormholes in the first volume, and a few scattered foxing spots.