BASAN. Dictionnaire des Graveurs Anciens et Modernes, depuis l’origine de la Gravure, par F. Basan, graveur; seconde édition mise par ordre alphabétique, considérablement augmentée et ornée de cinquante estampes par différents artistes célébres, ou sans aucune au gré de l’amateur. Paris, chez l’auteur, Cuchet, Prault, 1789, 2 vols., 8vo. 3 pretty head-pieces by Choffard: one on the dedication-page, another on the first page of the catalogue in volume i; the third is in the second volume and is a little masterpiece. This latter was reprinted in Regnault’s catalogue of Basan’s collection; it represents Basan’s study on one side and his studio on the other. In the centre of the composition, which is dated 1790, Choffard has placed a framed portrait of his friend Basan. These 3 vignettes exist in proofs before text and in various other states.
Most of the other illustrations are borrowed from different works.
The vignette containing Basan’s portrait is dated 1790, the other head-pieces are dated 1789. Evidently the second volume of the book (if not both parts) did not appear until 1790, considering the head-piece thus dated is printed in the text and would therefore not have been added after the volume’s issue.
This little portrait of Basan was used again for the re-issue of the same book—Paris, Blaise, 1809.
BELLIN. Essai Géographique sur les Isles Britanniques, etc., pour le service des vaisseaux du Roi, etc., par M. Bellin, etc. A Paris, de l’imprimerie de Didot, 1757, 4to. An engraved title-page, a fleuron on the title, one vignette, 11 head-pieces, 22 tail-pieces, and 5 maps.
The little views and plans by Choffard are charming and are far superior to the other illustrations in this volume. The vignette representing “Plan de Londres” and 4 tail-pieces are signed by Choffard, the frames of several of the other tail-pieces and the little view of Windsor, which forms a cul-de-lampe, may also be attributed to him. Choffard’s border for the title-page is used for the same purpose in “Description géographique des débouquemens de Saint Domingue” by the same author.
BELLIN. Description Géographique des Isles Antilles, possédées par les anglais, etc. A Paris, de l’Imprimerie de Didot, 1758, 4to. An engraved title-page, 12 maps, and 10 head-pieces. The frame for the title-page and one head-piece are by Choffard.
BELLIN. Déscription Géographique de la Guyane, etc. Dressées au Dépost des Cartes et Plans de la Marine par ordre de M. le Duc de Choiseul, Colonel Général des Suisses et Grisons, Ministre de la Guerre et de la Marine, etc. A Paris, de l’imprimerie de Didot, 1763, 4to. A frame on the title-page, a head-piece to the “avertissement,” one head-piece and 10 plates representing natives, animals, plants, etc., and 20 maps or plans.
The frame round the title is signed “Croisey Sc.,” and is similar to that in “Description géographique des isles Antilles,” which is signed “P. P. Choffard fecit 1758.” “Déscription géographique de la Guyane” has the same title-border as the other book, only it is reversed and has a slight alteration in the top of the design. The head-piece to the “avertissement” is also the same as that in “Description géographique des isles Antilles,” in which book it is signed “P. P. Choffard fecit 1758,” whereas in “Déscription géographique de la Guyane” it is signed “P. R. Rameau fecit 1762,” and is reversed; it is also a little larger, owing to the fact that there is slightly more space between the vignette and the border, and a muzzle of a cannon, etc., are added. Probably Rameau copied Choffard’s plate. This head-piece is also in “Description géographique du Golfe de Venise et de la Morée.”
BELLIN. Description Géographique et Historique de l’isle de Corse, etc., par le Sieur Bellin, ingénieur de la Marine. A Paris, de l’imprimerie de Didot, 1769, 4to. A head-piece, 2 ornamental borders, and many maps.