[Color-Plate Book]. Antoine-François Sergent-Marceau. Portraits des Grands Hommes, Femmes Illustres, et Sujets Mémorable...

One of the earliest hand-colored copperplate books. Not only are there portraits of famous French men and women, there are some plates depicting their exploits. This copy has the allegorical vignette about the American Revolution (often lacking). "This extraordinary work of colour printing, issued in Paris by Blin, included 192 aquatint plates and was published in 48 parts. It carried out a consistent scheme of oval portraiture with engraved description and arms below, followed by a notable episode from the life of that hero or heroine of France, and two columns of the half-page in engraved italic to describe the historical event. Thus it was a book of aquatint and engraving, with no type setting. It is, as colour-printing, an harmonious and excellent achievement." [Franklin]. Cohen de Ricci 951. Franklin p. 53.