1731 ❧ THE CORONATION OF KING LOUIS XV. Le Sacre de Louis XV, Roy de France & de Navarre, dans l'Eglise de Reims, Le Dimanche XXV Octobre MDCCXXII. [Paris: 1731]. Folio (630 x 473 mm). Engraved title page, 9 double-page plates on guards, 30 engraved costume plates, double-page 'Table,' single-page 'noms des peintres et graveurs,' 9 allegorical headpiece vignettes by Charles Nicolas Cochin the Younger, Louis Desplaces, Ennemond Petitot and others after Pierre Dulina dn Pierre Josse Perrot, other engraved borders throughout. Text of dedication page and 'Explications des figures allégoriques,' titles of double-page plates, captions to costume plates, engravers' legends, and double-page 'Table' at end supplied in manuscript in contemporary hands. Left sheet of plate (6) 'Le Lever du Roy' window mounted, closed marginal tears along folds of 2 of the double-page plates (not affecting image), some light scattered soiling and staining, costume plate 'Habillement Dun Confeiller d'Etat affiant' printed on thinner stock. Contemporary French mottled calf gilt, with the royal arms of France on covers, by la veuve Le Monnier, Place Sorbonne with their stamp. Rebacked, corners restored, stain to lower cover. Provenance: Mr. & Mrs. John H. Gutfreund (their sale Christie's New York, 29 January 2021, Lot 60). FIRST EDITION of this magnificently printed work documenting the coronation of King Louis XV at the Reims Cathedral in 1722. A unique copy with considerable parts of the text supplied in calligraphic manuscript. Rather than standard letterpress print, this extraordinary example features the formal text-including the dedication, plate explanations, captions, and the final Table-meticulously supplied by contemporary scribal hands. Crucially, the textual phrasing and layout match the later finalized printed editions exactly. Given that this monumental project took nearly a decade to complete and required intricate coordination between artists, authors, and printmaking workshops, the textual conformity strongly suggests that these leaves may have served as the authoritative copy text or printer's model used to direct the layout for the final letterpress run. Alternatively, it represents a highly specialized, luxury presentation copy compiled immediately from the earliest proof impressions of the plates before the standard printed text sheets were executed. The work features 9 monumental and intricately engraved scenes of events throughout the coronation day as well as 30 engraved plates of the outfits worn by other nobles and dignitaries who attended the festivities. The scenes capture the events of the day from the processions to the church to the festivities following the coronation. The first copy was presented to Louis XV 9 years after the coronation on 24 December 1731. Berlin Kat. 3009; Brunet V: 19; Cohen-de Ricci 917; Vinet 516; Watanabe 2018. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing