The Medals of Louis XV

Fleurimont, G.R. MÉDAILLES DU RÈGNE DE LOUIS XV. No place, undated [Paris, c. 1737 or shortly thereafter]. Folio [32.5 by 25 cm], contemporary full speckled calf; spine with five raised bands, richly decorated in gilt; red morocco spine label, gilt; board edges decorated in gilt; marbled endpapers; all page edges red. Engraved title with rocaille cartouche; dedicace with historiated border; 54 finely engraved plates of medals with historiated borders, the last dated 1736. Only minor spotting or indications of wear; near fine. A handsome and fully original copy of this beautifully produced work, a testament to the art of numismatic engraving. Each plate illustrates the obverse and reverse of a particular medal issued in commemoration of an important event in the life of Louis XV. This work was issued in at least seven issues (of which this is the third), each successive production adding more plates as the monarch’s reign progressed. The cumulative and ongoing nature of the work has created some confusion on the part of bibliographers, confusion which is amplified by the fact that earlier issues appear under the name of Nicolas Godonnesche, while later ones are signed by G.R. Fleurimont. The seven issues known to this cataloguer are as follows: 1) with 33 plates, the last dated 1727, with a dedication signed by Godonnesche; 2) with 52 plates, the last dated 1734, with a dedication signed by Godonnesche [reported by Librairie Clermont]; 3) with 54 plates, the last dated 1736, with a dedication signed by Godonnesche; 4) with 54 plates, the last dated 1736, with a dedication signed by Fleurimont; 5) with 54 plates, the last dated 1736, with a dedication signed by Fleurimont, and with an engraved frontispiece; 6) with 63 numbered plates, the last dated 1745, plus 1 or 2 unnumbered plates and the frontispiece, with a dedication signed by Fleurimont [uncertain whether issued with one or two unnumbered plates, but have encountered copies with either]; 7) with 78 plates, the last dated 1748, plus the frontispiece, with a dedication signed by Fleurimont. Clas-Ove Strandberg, in his catalogue of the Queen Lovisa Ulrike collection of numismatic literature, clarified matters by suggesting that Godonnesche and Fleurimont are one and the same. Godonnesche was an engraver and curator of the royal cabinet of medals. In 1731, he contributed satirical engravings to a title by J.L. Boursier, Explication abrégée des principales questions qui ont rapport aux affaires présentes, for which he lost his position and was sent to the Bastille. Upon his release, Strandberg believes, Godonnesche continued to publish his work under the name of Fleurimont. This line of reasoning appears to work, though an absence of definite proof makes one hesitate to fully accept it. Regardless of the full story behind the book, it remains an exquisite example of the engraver’s art and an important reference to the medals of the period. Dekesel G133 (my third issue); cf. Dekesel F115 (my final issue). Hirsch 49. Lipsius 150 (Godonnesche, citing 1727 and 1736); cf. Lipsius 128 (Fleurimont, citing 1748 with 80 plates [presumably including frontispiece and dedicace]). Strandberg 74. Ex Kolbe & Fanning (direct sale at 2011 ANA).