RUSSIA - ZVENIGORODSKOI COLLECTION KONDAKOV (NIKODIM PAVLOVICH) Histoire et monuments des emaux byzantins [Collection de Mr. A. W. Zwenigorodskoi], FIRST EDITION, NUMBER 34 OF 200 COPIES printed in French, introduction by A. Zvenigorodskoi, chromolithographed dedication to Tsar Alexander III printed on an embossed silver foil ground, engraved portrait frontispiece on india-proof paper, additional chromolithographed pictorial title, title printed in red and black within a decorative chromolithographed border, 31 chromolithographed plates, chromolithographed divisional titles, decorative initials and ornaments throughout, limitation leaf printed in gilt and black, decorative endpapers, very light spotting to a few plates, original white morocco, sides and spine with elaborate embossed design blocked in gilt and black, edges printed in various colours, page edges gauffered and richly ornamented in gilt, silver gilt, red and green, original bookmark of multi-coloured and gilt threads attached by thread, very small scuffmark to extreme edge, contemporary cloth-backed silk-lined solander box, red morocco gilt lettering label on spine (some wear at extremities) [Fekula 6705, 'magnificent'; Vengerov, Old Russian Books, 77], folio (358 x 265mm.), Frankfurt, [A. Osterrieth], 1892 Footnotes: A VERY FINE COPY OF A LAVISHLY PRESENTED CELEBRATION OF THE ZVENIGORODSKOI COLLECTION OF BYZANTINE ENAMELS, subsequently purchased by J.P. Morgan who donated them to the Metropolitan Museum, New York. The catalogue is 'undoubtedly a masterpiece of the Russian printing industry. It has no equals either in terms of workmanship or in terms of the funds involved (it cost 120,000 roubles [approximately $200,000] in gold by the exchange rate for 1892' (Vengerov), the Dumbarton Oaks website noting that the 'Zwenigorodskoi collection is almost as famous for its catalog as it was for its ancient enamels'. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com