Jean-Baptiste LULLY. Phaëton. Tragedy set to music. - Lot 190

Jean-Baptiste LULLY. Phaëton. Tragedy set to music. Paris, À l'Entrée de la Porte de l'Académie Royale de Musique au Palais Royal, ruë Saint-honoré, 1709. Large folio, shagreened calf, 6-rib spine, ornate caissons, morocco title page (contemporary binding). Title, privilege, 211 pp. "Second edition engraved by H. de Baussen, famous for his finely engraved frontispieces in the prologue and at the beginning of the acts (pp. 1, 40, 84, 111, 151 & 184). The first edition, published by Ballard in 1683, is extremely rare: the second edition, of which this is the first, was reprinted in identical until 1721 (cf Collection de Chambure, Première vente, 1993). The frontispiece of the prologue is said to evoke the gardens of Versailles. Spine of the pastiche binding, very finely imitated: restorations in the margins (or repaired tears) [pp. 109, 122,141 & 195].