1723 ❧ 'Metallic history' of the Sun King's reign. [LOUIS XIV]. ACADÉMIE DES INSCRIPTIONS ET BELLES-LETTRES. Médailles sur les principaux événements du règne entier de Louis le Grand, avec des explications historiques. Paris: De l'Imprimerie Royale, 1723. Folio (472 x 432 mm). Engraved allegorical frontispiece by Charles Simonneau after Antoine Coypel, engraved title-page vignette by Sébastien Leclerc, 318 copper-engraved plates depicting historical medals bordered by intricate typographic and decorative frames; text printed within borders using Philippe Grandjean's Romain du Roi typeface. Mostly quite light marginal toning. Contemporary marbled calf, covers ruled and with gilt corner-pieces, green morocco lettering-pieces, remaining spine compartments richly gilt, edges marbled. Chip to head of spine, extremities rubbed and bumped. THE DEFINITIVE 'METALLIC HISTORY' OF THE SUN KING'S REIGN, PRINTED ON SPECIAL LARGE-FORMAT PAPER. First published in a smaller format in 1702, this 1723 folio edition represents the most complete and visually striking rendition of the work. Commissioned by the Académie des Inscriptions, it captures the entire trajectory of Louis XIV's reign through a chronologically organized narrative of his commemorative state medals. This specific edition was heavily upgraded from its predecessor under the supervision of Rigaud, director of the Imprimerie Royale, who ordered a custom, heavy Grand Raisin fin double d'Auvergne paper specifically to showcase the 318 engraved plates. Culturally, the volume remains one of the primary historical monuments of French typography, serving as a masterpiece of the state-sponsored Romain du Roi typeface. Cohen-De Ricci 695; Morison, Four Centuries, pp.36-38. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing