Desroches (Nicolas) Dictionaire des Termes Propres de Marine, first edition, 21 engraved plates, of which 17 with contemporary hand-colouring, engraved title vignette, head-pieces and initials, errata f. at end, Z5&6 bound in wrong order, 8 plates trimmed and laid down at time of binding, some others with margins slightly trimmed, occasional spotting, handsomely bound in contemporary red morocco, covers with central gilt arms of Louis Alexandre de Bourbon, Comte de Toulouse, within triple fillet border with foliate cornerpieces, spine gilt in compartments, g.e., 8vo, Paris, A. Auroy, 1687.

*** Dedication copy of the first comprehensive French dictionary on shipping, with plates of flags coloured in a contemporary hand. Louis Alexandre de Bourbon, Comte de Toulouse (1678-1737), was the illegitimate son of Louis XIV and his mistress Francoise-Athenais, marquise de Montespan. He became a legitimised Prince du Sang with the right to inherit the French throne, and grand admiral of France at the age of five. In 1696 he was created a marshal of France, becoming commander of the royal armies the following year.

Provenance: Louis Alexandre de Bourbon, Comte de Toulouse (binding); Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre (1725-93), son of the above, "Ce volume a appartenu au duc de Penthièvre dont les armoires sont la couverture" (ownership inscription to verso of first plate); "Ce livre appartient au comte de [rayé] Vergy garde marine au départment de Toulon. A Toulon le 10 mars 1743" (ownership inscription to verso of first plate, repeated to head of title).