LIGNY (François de). History of the life of Jesus Christ. Paris : Crapelet's printing house, 1804. - 2 volumes in-4, 242 x 176 : frontispiece, (2 ff.), viij, 514 pp., 39 plates ; frontispiece, (2 ff.), 534 pp. 34 plates, 1 map. Red long-grained morocco, gilt roulette on the boards, smooth spine decorated, gilt roulette inside, gilt edges (period binding). First edition dedicated to Pope Pius VII published by De Sambucy, of this sought-after work by the secular priest François de Ligny (1709-1789). It is illustrated with 75 superb copper-engraved plates, reproducing paintings of great masters such as Raphael, Rubens, Carache, Poussin, Veronese, Titian, Da Vinci, etc. There is also a folding map of Palestine. Copy on vellum paper, including the plates in a state before the letter, in a very nice contemporary morocco binding. Some wear and tear.