It is possible that a passing apprehension that the Louvre might not always be allowed to retain the Art Treasures for which he had laid most of the countries of Europe under contribution for its choicest pieces, led Napoleon to think of forming this splendid series of Line Engravings, the cost of which, for engraving alone, exceeded seventy-five thousand pounds sterling, defrayed mostly from the Imperial Treasury. Since the publication of these volumes many of the paintings and sculptures have been claimed and restored to their rightful owners; and the dispersion of so many choice gems enhances the value of the work which describes them in a collected form.
Mr. Hotten keeps sets richly bound in half red morocco, appropriately gilt.
Musée Secret de Naples.—A most curious work in a case, privately printed in Paris, representing some of the more remarkable “Peintures, Bronzes, Mosaiques,” &c., depicting the Ceremonies observed at the earliest known form of Worship. Paris, MD.CCC.XL.
The “Secret Museum” at Naples, from the extraordinary nature of its contents, has always excited the liveliest curiosity amongst antiquaries and students.
Mundy’s (Gen.) Pen and Pencil Sketches in India; or, JOURNAL OF A TOUR IN INDIA. 3rd edition, with many illustrations. 8vo (sells at 5s.), only 2s. 6d.
An exceedingly amusing and instructive volume, giving Europeans an admirable idea of the everyday life of a resident in India. The author visited every portion of our vast empire in company with Viscount Combermere. The hunting stories and exploits are admirably told.
Nell Gwyn, the Story of, and the Sayings of Charles the Second, related and collected by PETER CUNNINGHAM, F.S.A., small 8vo, beautifully printed, with numerous woodcuts relating to Nell Gwynne, cloth gilt (sells at 6s.), 2s. 6d.
Novum Testamentum Græcum. The exquisite Diamond type edition, with a beautiful Frontispiece of Da Vinci’s Last Supper, engraved by Worthington, 48mo (sells at 10s. 6d.), only 2s.
Artistically bound in morocco, with exquisite taste and neatness, 11s. 6d.; or, with the sides delicately tooled, 13s. 6d.
Ornamental Art, the Treasury of, Illustrative of Objects of Art and Virtù, photographed from the originals in the Museum of Ornamental Art, and drawn on stone by F. Bedford, with descriptive notices by J. C. Robinson, F.S.A., imp. 8vo, 71 plates, richly illuminated in colours and gold (pub. at £3 13s. 6d.), elegantly bound in cloth extra, gilt edges, new, £1 7s.