copy: a frontispiece by Boucher, engraved by L. Cars, a fleuron on the
title-page, 1 head-piece, 5 head-pieces with portraits of French kings,
16 tail-pieces, some being repetitions of the same designs, and 5
ornamental letters. All the illustrations, excepting the frontispiece,
bear the initials “H. G.” (Hubert Gravelot) and “L. C.” (L. Cars).
Choffard, however, engraved them under Cars’ direction, in spite of
them not being signed by Choffard, who likewise etched the two
ornamental letters H and the three Ls, and Choffard designed the very
small fleurons that are contained within the frame of these letters,
which are charming.
CATALOGUE DES PLANCHES GRAVÉES QUI COMPOSENT LE FONDS DE BASAN. 1805.
This book contains a charming oblong vignette by Choffard, representing
Basan’s gallery, in which “amateurs” are sitting and strolling.
CAZOTTE. ŒUVRES BADINES ET MORALES DE M.... _Amsterdam et Paris, chez
Esprit, 1776, 2 vols., 8vo._ 2 plates by Cochin, engraved by Choffard
and Prévost.
CHANGRAN (DE). MANUEL DU CHASSEUR, etc., par M. de Changran. _A Paris,
chez Saugrain et Lamy, libraires, 1780, 12mo._ An etched title-page by
Choffard.
CHARRIÈRE (MME. DE). LES TROIS FEMMES, par Mme. de Charrière, auteur
des lettres écrites de Lausanne, etc. _Paris, Nepveu, libraire, passage
des Panoramas 26, 1809, 8vo._ A frontispiece and 6 plates by Legrand.
The frontispiece and 3 illustrations are etched by Duplessis-Bertaux
and finished by Choffard.
CHATEAUBRIAND. ATALA-RENÉ, par Fr. Aug. de Chateaubriand. _A Paris,
chez Le Normant, 1805, 12mo._ 6 plates by Barth. Garnier, 3 of which
are engraved by Choffard.
This is the original edition and exists on vellum paper with plates
before letters. There are also large paper copies.
CHÉREAU. DIVERSI TROFEI DE B. BOSSI ET P. P. CHOFFARD. 2 books, each
containing 6 designs.
Chéreau published them, therefore they appear under his name.
MM. Portalis and Béraldi say that, similar to the suite next mentioned,
there is some manipulation on the part of the publisher. No doubt these
plates, which are very poor impressions, are either copies of the
originals by Choffard or are from faked plates. ·
CHÉREAU. Six books of “cartouches” by Choffard were published by
Chéreau. They ought to be mentioned, though they are of very minor
importance, considering the six plates, that each book contains, are
only copies of the “cartouches” which Choffard executed for Robert de
Vaugondy’s atlas and for other maps.
CHOFFARD. LIVRE D’ÉCUSSONS ET CARTELS, dessinés par P. P. Choffard. _A
Paris, rue St. Jacques, aux deux pilliers d’or._ 7 oblong plates,
containing 10 designs.
CHOFFARD. NOTICE HISTORIQUE SUR L’ART DE LA GRAVURE EN FRANCE, par P.
P. Ch..., dessinateur et graveur, ci-devant de plusieurs Académies
royales, membre de l’Athénée des Arts. _A Paris, chez Pichard,
libraire, Pélicier, libraire, an XII—1804. 8vo._
The pretty head-piece etched by the author is said, by some, to
represent Choffard, as a young man, in his studio.
Some copies of this book bear the name of “Richard” as publisher.
CHOISEUL-GOUFFIER (COMTE DE). VOYAGE PITTORESQUE DE LA GRÈCE. _Paris,
1782-1809, 2 vols., folio._ A portrait, 1 large fleuron on the
title-page, 12 large fleurons and tail-pieces, and 89 plates.
One head-piece and a tail-piece, both very fine and belonging to the
first chapter, are engraved by Choffard; the head-piece is after Monnet
and the tail-piece is designed and reproduced by Choffard.
The publication of this sumptuous work was interrupted by the
Revolution and the second volume appeared in separate parts between the
years 1809 and 1825. The first volume is the only one that is
collected, the second being very inferior.
CORNEILLE. THÉÂTRE DE P. CORNEILLE, etc. Nouvelle édition augmentée.
_Genève (Berlin), 1774, 8 vols., 4to._
The 35 illustrations found in “Théâtre de Pierre Corneille, avec
commentaires (par Voltaire),” etc. _(Genève), 1764, 12 vols., 8vo_, are
republished framed in this edition. Gravelot designed these frames, and
the one round Corneille’s portrait is engraved by Choffard.
COUCHÉ. GALERIE DU PALAIS-ROYAL, gravée d’après les tableaux des
différentes écoles qui la composent, etc. _Paris, J. Couché et
Bouilliard, 1786-1808, 3 vols., large folio._ A fleuron on the
dedication-page and 355 illustrations.
The fine design on the dedication-page is by Choffard, who also etched
it, the engraving work upon the plate being done by Guttenberg. A
certain number of copies were printed on “colombier” paper, with plates
before letters (with the titles printed separately on tissue paper) and
12 copies on “vélin jésus” paper, likewise containing plates before
letters.
The pictures of the Palais-Royal were dispersed during the Revolution
and sold in England.
CUVILLIÉS. CAHIERS DE PROJETS D’ARCHITECTURES. Serie C.
Architectural plans, etc., and a cartouche enclosing the dedication to
“Son Altesse S. E. de Bavière.”
DELILLE (L’ABBÉ). LES JARDINS, poème, par Jacques Delille, nouvelle
édition considérablement augmentée. _Paris, Levrault frères, an
IX—1801. 12mo._ 4 plates by Monsiau, 2 of which Choffard has engraved.
Published on ordinary and on vellum paper.
Plates before letters exist.
DÉSORMEAUX. HISTOIRE DE LA MAISON DE BOURBON. _Paris, imprimerie
royale, 1779-1788, 5 vols., 4to_. A frontispiece, a decorative
dedication-page, 5 fleurons on the title-pages, 14 framed portraits, 21
vignettes, and 21 tail-pieces.
A magnificently illustrated work.
The beautiful tail-pieces, which are all by Choffard, show how clever
this artist is in avoiding similarity even when the subjects seem to
necessitate repetition, since similar trophies are introduced into
nearly every tail-piece without any positive resemblance, showing great
ingenuity on the part of the artist.
Each portrait is in a differently decorated frame designed by Choffard,
who also etched and possibly engraved them. These portraits are
supposed not to have been published with the edition, since early
copies are found without them.
DUBOS. ROMANCE par M. Dubos, jne. professeur au Lycée impérial. A
vignette by Moreau, engraved by Choffard.
ÉGLISE SAINTE GENEVIEVE (PLAN, COUPE ET ÉLÉVATION PERSPECTIVE DE LA
NOUVELLE) _construite d’après les desseins de J. G. Soufflot, etc.,
18mo._
A title-page, 1 plan and 2 very small views, all of which are framed by
the same design, and are unsigned, although they are by Choffard.
Some proofs of the view of the interior of the church bear the title
“Nouvelle Eg^{ise.} S^{te}-Genevieve,” and others have the words “Vue
intérieure” printed on the tablet at the top of the frame; the details
of the church differ in these two proofs.
This little book was published on the occasion of the inauguration of
the new church of Sainte Genevieve, now usually known as the Panthéon.
In 1754 Louis XV, finding himself seriously ill, vowed that if, through
the intercession of Sainte Genevieve, he recovered, he would raise to
her honour a new and sumptuous temple. Restored to health the king kept
his word and on the 6th of September 1764 the first stone of the church
was laid by him.
The edifice was advanced and the dome was being constructed, when the
masonry began to crack and the architect, Soufflot, realized that his
building threatened to collapse. Full of despair and amidst the sneers
of his critics, Soufflot died in 1780 and was succeeded by Rondelet.
ERLACH (RODOLPHE DE). CODE DU BONHEUR, etc. _Paris et Genève, 1788, 6
vols., 8vo._ A fine frontispiece engraved by Choffard.
This book is dedicated to Catherine II.
ETRENNES GALANTES, _chez Vallayer, Marchand bijoutier,_ 1751. The
vignette with two very small frames adjoining, the right-hand one of
which bears the words “Etrennes galantes,” is partly by Choffard. A
little cupid is included in the composition and Jombert attributes the
engraving of his face to Cochin and the rest of the vignette to
Choffard.
ETRENNES GALANTES. 12_mo._ Title-page by Choffard, mostly engraved by
Cochin.
N.B.—This is another issue.
FÉNELON. LES AVENTURES DE TÉLÉMAQUE. There exists an engraved
title-page which has a little portrait of Fénelon in the upper part.
The decorative portion of this plate is engraved by Choffard. This
engraving is usually found in the editions of 1783 and 1785.
GRAFFIGNY (MME. DE). LETTRES D’UNE PÉRUVIENNE, par Mme de Graffigny,
traduites du français en italien par M. Deodati avec le texte en
regard. _Paris, imprimerie de Migneret, 1797, 8vo._ A portrait of the
author and 6 plates by Le Barbier; one of these is engraved by Choffard.
Some copies were published 4to size, containing plates before letters
and the _eaux-fortes_.
GRAVELOT AND COCHIN. ALMANACH ICONOLOGIQUE OU DES ARTS, pour l’année
1765 and for the following years until 1781. _Paris, chez Lattré,
graveur, rue Saint-Jacques, 17 vols., 18mo._ There is one portrait and
each volume contains a calendar for the year in which it was published,
illustrated by a frontispiece common to all, an engraved title-page and
12 plates. The total number of illustrations in all the volumes is 204
plates and 17 engraved title-pages, 5 of the latter being repeated. All
illustrations are by Cochin and Gravelot; Choffard engraved 10 plates
and a decorative title-page after the latter.
There was a trial edition published in 1764; only exceedingly few
copies of it exist. This trial almanack is the same as the one issued
in 1765. It is by Gravelot, and two of the plates are engraved by
Choffard.
The correct edition should have the name of “Lattré” on the title-page.
GRAVELOT AND COCHIN. ICONOLOGIE PAR FIGURES ou traité complet de la
science des allégories en 350 figures gravées d’après les dessins de
MM. Gravelot et Cochin, avec les explications relatives à chaque sujet,
etc. _Paris, Lattré, graveur, (1781), 4 vols., 12mo, or, when large
paper, 8vo._ The illustrations are the same as in the almanacks just
mentioned, but are placed in a different order.
This re-issue (of the plates of the “Almanach Iconologique”) is far
less rare than the original almanacks, but the plates are still fairly
good.
HELMAN. FAITS MÉMORABLES DES EMPEREURS DE LA CHINE, etc. _Paris, chez
l’auteur, 1788, 4to._ 24 plates, an engraved title-page and a
head-piece above the dedication to the Comtesse de Provence. This last
vignette is engraved by Helman after Monnet, but MM. Portalis and
Béraldi attribute the _eau-forte_ of it to Choffard.
See “VICTOIRES ET CONQUÊTES DE L’EMPEREUR DE LA CHINE.”
HÉNAULT (LE PRÉSIDENT). NOUVEL ABRÉGÉ CHRONOLOGIQUE DE L’HISTOIRE DE
FRANCE, etc. _Paris, Prault, 1768, large 4to, one volume usually bound
in two parts._
The portrait of Marie Leczinska, engraved by Gaucher after Nattier and
framed by a floral decoration by Choffard, forms the exquisite
head-piece on the dedication-page. The book also contains illustrations
by other artists. The frame alone, of the dedication head-piece, exists
in _eau-forte_.
HISTOIRE ANCIENNE. A vignette engraved by Choffard after Monnet.
HISTOIRE DE LOUIS XV. PAR MÉDAILLES. _De l’Imprimerie royale,
1753-1757, folio._ 20 handsome allegorical frames, all of different
design, drawn and engraved by Choffard under the direction of Cochin
fils.
Twenty-two plates are known to exist, but the whole series was never
completed, nor was the work ever published.
IDÉE GÉNÉRALE DE LA VILLE DE RHEIMS. A head-piece by Choffard.
IMBERT. LE JUGEMENT DE PARIS, poème en IV chants, par M. Imbert.
_Amsterdam (Paris), 1772, 8vo._ 4 charming vignettes by Choffard and a
title-page and 4 plates by Moreau, which are also pretty.
JANVIER. Choffard executed many cartouches for atlases by Janvier.
LA FONTAINE. FABLES CHOISIES, mises en vers par J. de La Fontaine.
_Paris, Desaint et Saillant, 1755-1759, 4 vols., folio._ A portrait and
275 illustrations. 2 plates are engraved by Choffard after Oudry.
In the prized edition the plate for the fable “Le singe et le léopard”
has not got the name of the fable inscribed on the flying banner. There
are copies on ordinary bluish paper, but the plates of these are poor
impressions.
The woodcut tail-pieces were executed by Papillon and others, from
Bachelier’s designs, which had been etched by Choffard as separate
suites of plates. See Bachelier.
LA FONTAINE. CONTES ET NOUVELLES EN VERS par M. de La Fontaine.
_Amsterdam (Paris), 1762, 2 vols., 8vo._ 2 portraits, a large
tail-piece containing a portrait of Choffard by himself and 57 other
etchings by Choffard and 80 plates by Eisen. 140 illustrations in all.
Choffard’s work for this book consists of 2 head-pieces, 2 fleurons, 2
fleurons on the title-pages, and 52 tail-pieces. He also engraved 1
plate after Eisen.
Among the beautifully illustrated books of the eighteenth century only
“Les Métamorphoses d’Ovide,” 1767-1771, can vie with this edition of La
Fontaine. They are both magnificently illustrated and published in
sumptuous style. This work contains some of Eisen’s masterpieces and
Choffard’s contributions are among his most charming book illustrations.
Six plates, originally “découvertes,” were subsequently “couvertes.”
In correct copies Choffard’s portrait should, like the proofs, not have
shading lines round the border of the medallion where the lettering is.
This vignette forms the tail-piece to “Le Rossignol.”
Choffard’s charming etchings exist in various states.
This edition is known as that of the “fermiers généraux,” as they
defrayed all expenses. This was an association, or kind of syndicate,
which collected the taxes for the Government and guaranteed to pay over
a certain sum. Evidently, what could be collected beyond went as bonus
to the associated members. It is supposed that to obtain the favour of
the court to continue the monopoly, handsome presents had to be given.
Whatever else may have been presented, this edition was produced for
the purpose, and presentation copies were especially bound, usually in
blue, red, or green morocco, by Derome, with “dentelles” as a rule, and
a tooled back designed by Gravelot. These copies, however, do not
always contain the plates “découvertes.”
There exist many reprints of this famous edition, some of which contain
Choffard’s vignettes reversed. Some copies of the 1792 imitation bear
the date 1762, but it is detected as a forgery by the poorness of the
impressions.
LA FONTAINE. CONTES ET NOUVELLES EN VERS, par Jean de La Fontaine.
_Paris, de l’imprimerie de P. Didot, l’an III de la République, 1795, 2
vols., 4to._ A fine fleuron by Choffard on the title-page of volume i.
and repeated in the second one.
This beautiful edition was never completed owing to the lack of
subscribers due to the Revolution. The volumes were to have contained
80 plates. A number of the plates were ready or nearly finished, and
these can only be added to the work, since they were not published with
it. In all, 38 subjects are obtainable, but no complete set is known.
The ordinary copies contain 20 plates, most of them being after
Fragonard.
LA ROCHEFOUCAULD (LE DUC DE). MAXIMES ET RÉFLEXIONS MORALES. _A Paris,
de l’Imprimerie royale, 1778, 8vo._ Portrait of the author finely
engraved by Choffard after the enamel by Petitot.
“Gravé en 1779 par P. P. Choffard Des. et Grav. de S. M. Imp. et du Roi
d’Espagne” is how the engraver signed himself on the right-hand side of
this little _chef-d’œuvre_.
The portrait is absent in many copies, but the book is considered
incomplete without it.
It is no uncommon thing for the plates to be post-dated in
eighteenth-century volumes; in this particular case it would be
difficult to decide if the plate was published later than the book it
was to illustrate, or whether the work containing the frontispiece was
issued in 1779 in spite of 1778 being printed on the title-page. This
portrait does not appear to have been published wholly without
connection with the book it usually illustrates, like some portraits
contained in volumes of that period were.
LE GENDRE. DESCRIPTION DE LA PLACE DE LOUIS XV QUE L’ON CONSTRUIT À
REIMS, etc. _A Paris, de l’imprimerie Prault, 1765, atlas folio._ One
head-piece, a plan, 2 plans with elevations, 2 views and 3 other plates.
The beautiful head-piece is by Choffard, who also engraved 2 views and
2 plans with elevations.
LIGNE (PRINCE DE). PRÉJUGÉS MILITAIRES, par un officier autrichien. _A
Kralovilhota, 1780, 2 vols., 8vo._ A head-piece on the dedication-page,
1 tail-piece, and 14 little battle scenes which form head-pieces.
Choffard drew and etched all.
The vignettes are little gems of the art of miniature etching, and
their composition, although on such a small scale, is handled with the
artistic judgement of a thorough master of the art.
N.B.—In all reference books 15 battle views are mentioned in error.
LOUVET DE COUVRAY. LES AMOURS DU CHEVALIER DE FAUBLAS, par J.-B.
Louvet. 3e. édition, revue par l’auteur. _Se vend à Paris, chez
l’auteur, rue de Grenelle Germain, vis-à-vis la rue de Bourgogne,
ci-devant hôtel de Sens, no. 1495, et chez les marchands de nouveautés.
An VI de la République (1798). 4 vols., 8vo._ Illustrated by 27 plates,
one of these is engraved by Choffard after Demarne.
There are copies on vellum paper in which the plates should be found
before letters with the artists’ names “à la pointe.”
Although very rare, the _eaux-fortes_ of these plates exist.
The third is the best edition and the one sought after.
LUCRÈCE. DE LA NATURE DES CHOSES, traduction de La Grange. _De
l’imprimerie de Didot le jeune, Paris, chez Bleuet, l’an deuxième de la
République (1794), 2 vols., 4to, vellum paper._ 1 frontispiece placed
in each volume and 6 plates by Monnet; one of these is engraved by
Choffard. This plate is framed and proofs of the frame alone exist, as
well as others containing the vignette.
This book was also published in 3 volumes, large 4to, vellum paper,
with the same plates, but the frontispiece, unsigned, is only placed in
the first volume. This edition consisted of 50 copies.
OVIDE. LES MÉTAMORPHOSES D’OVIDE, en latin et en françois, de la
traduction de M. l’abbé Banier, de l’Académie royale des inscriptions
et belles-lettres, avec des explications historiques. _Paris, Hochereau
(or Despilly, or Barrois, or Delalain, or Guillyn), 1767-1771, 4 vols.,
4to._ A frontispiece, 3 dedication-pages, 4 fleurons on the
title-pages, 30 vignettes, a tail-piece at the end of the last volume
and 140 plates.
Choffard’s work for this book consists of 30 head-pieces, 5 are
etched after Monnet and 25 invented and etched by Choffard, a
title-frontispiece, the frame for the dedication to the Duc de
Chartres, 4 fleurons on the title-pages and a large tail-piece at the
end of the fourth volume. MM. Portalis and Béraldi also attribute to
the “maître ornemaniste” the design of the frames that contain the
vignettes.
These etchings exist in various unfinished states, artist’s proofs and
proofs before letters. In the exquisite frame round the dedication
there is a slight difference between the design of the proofs before
letters and those after: early states bear the fleur-de-lis crown on
the ball itself, whereas later impressions have the crown placed
outside, above the ball.
This book contains fine illustrations of nine artists: Boucher,
Choffard, Eisen, Gravelot, Leprince, Monnet, Moreau, Parizeau, and
Saint-Gois and since these beautiful drawings were reproduced by the
greatest engravers France possessed, the artistic value of the four
volumes is remarkable.
The plates, which are not by Choffard, exist before letters; there are
also 6 “découvertes” ones, but these are exceedingly scarce.
A few copies of this book exist with the illustrations coloured, but
they are not so fine as the uncoloured ones, for the plates were
evidently only painted to please certain purchasers of the period and
were not printed purposely for colouring.
The five publishers who shared the issue had their own names printed in
their respective copies; thus the first and correct edition is issued
under five different publishers’ names; all copies are of equal
excellence, in spite of many collectors preferring “Hochereau.”
In some copies liber 8 comes after liber 9.
“_Les Métamorphoses d’Ovide gravées sur les desseins des meilleurs
peintres français. Par les soins des S^{rs.} le Mire et Basan graveurs.
A Paris, chez Basan rue du Foin S. Jacques. Le Mire rue S. Etienne des
Grès. Avec privilege du Roi_,” is engraved on the ornamental
frontispiece that forms the half-title to volume i. Thus we know that
it is to Basan’s and Le Mire’s care that we owe the most magnificently
illustrated French book of the eighteenth century.
There is a re-issue of this book which is such a marvellous imitation
of the original, that it would be easy for any but the most experienced
to be deceived. Most of the plates are not quite so brilliant and the
paper used is not as good as that of the first edition. But in many
copies of the second edition the plates, or some of them, are of the
first issue and not of a second one. Volume 4 of this reprint bears the
date 1770, whereas the last volume of the good edition is dated 1771,
and the third volume page 215 has 209 printed in error.
OVIDE. LES MÉTAMORPHOSES D’OVIDE traduction nouvelle avec le texte
latin, suivie d’une analyse de l’explication des fables, etc., par M.
G.-T. Villenave, ornée de gravures d’après les dessins de MM. Le
Barbier, Monsiau et Moreau. _Paris, Gay et Guestard (imprimerie de
Didot l’aîné), 1806, 4 vols., large 4to or 8vo, vellum paper._ 144
illustrations. Choffard engraved one plate after Monsiau.
Proofs and _eaux-fortes_ exist of all the plates, with the exception of
two.
PALISSOT. ŒUVRES DE M. PALISSOT, nouvelle édition. _Liège, Plomteux,
1777, 7 vols., 8vo._ A portrait of the author engraved by Choffard
after Monnet and 18 plates by Monnet and Méon.
The engraving of the 10 illustrations by Monnet, although not signed by
Choffard, is attributed to him by MM. Portalis and Béraldi.
The plate for the “chant I.” after Monnet, is supposed to represent
Baculard d’Arnaud having his portrait painted.
There is a subsequent edition of this book, ŒUVRES COMPLÈTES DE M.
PALISSOT. _Liège et Paris, Bastien, 1778-1779, 7 vols., 8vo_,
containing the same plates.
PIIS (DE). CHANSONS NOUVELLES. _Paris, imprimerie de Ph.-D. Pierres,
1785, 12mo._ An ornamental dedication-page by Choffard, 12 vignettes by
Le Barbier and 21 pages of engraved music.
One of the most gracefully illustrated little volumes ever published.
Choffard’s charming design for the dedication is similar in style to
that of some of his book-plates.
The little book ought to contain De Piis’ portrait engraved by Gaucher
after H. J. François, although it is not positive whether it was
published in the volume at the time of issue.
Five of Le Barbier’s illustrations appear again in “Les Bijoux des neuf
sœurs,” _A Paris, chez Defer de Maisonneuve, 1790, 2 vols., 12mo_, but
in this book they are framed. These framed plates exist also in proof
form.
PLEYEL ET DUSSEK. MÉTHODE POUR LE PIANO-FORTE, par Pleyel et Dussek,
prix 12 fr. _A Paris, chez Pleyel, 4to._ The decorated title-page is by
Choffard.
PONCE. DESCRIPTION DES BAINS DE TITUS ou collection de peintures
trouvées dans les ruines des thermes de cet empereur et gravés sous la
direction de M. Ponce (avec des explications par le docteur Felice).
_Paris, 1786, atlas folio._ 60 plates; below one are the words, “P.
Choffard Direxit.”
RACINE. ŒUVRES DE JEAN RACINE, avec des commentaires par M. Luneau de
Boisgermain. _Paris, Cellot, 1768, 7 vols., 8vo._ One portrait of the
author by Santerre engraved by Gaucher; the frame round it is designed
by Gravelot and engraved by Choffard. Also 12 plates by Gravelot.
A fine edition, of which there are copies on holland paper with plates
before letters. It may be noted, however, that the illustrations very
rarely have the “légende” beneath them.