[Bryant, Jacob and William Cole]

folio, 2 volumes, one of 100 copies printed for private distribution, in Latin and French, frontispieces and 100 stipple-engraved plates by Bartolozzi after Cipriani, two additional illustrations, errata leaf at end of volume 2, contemporary full red morocco, ruled in gilt, all edges gilt, gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers, green ribbons, some spotting and browning and occasional minor soiling, each volume lightly worn at extremities, soiling to the lower board of vol. 1, small scuff to upper board of vol. 2

The collection of gems assembled by the fourth Duke of Marlborough, George Spencer (1739-1817) at Blenheim Palace was widely regarded as one of the world's most important private collections until its some 800 items were brought to sale in 1899. Later republished by Murray in 1845, this first publication of a hundred highlights was printed privately for the Duke and written by his childhood tutor and later private secretary, Jacob Bryant, and William Cole, tutor to the Duke's sons. Matthew Maty and Louis Dutens provided the French translations.