[Boyer (Abel)] A View of Paris, and Places adjoining, proof and dedication copy, Richard Syms's armorial bookplate on title verso, 4pp. advertisements, autograph correction in later hand on p.64, residue of stamps and later ink numbers partially expunged from title and final f., modern calf, 8vo, for John Nutt, 1701.

⁂ A previously anonymous work, now attributed to Abel Boyer (1667 – 1729), French-English lexicographer, journalist and writer.

This proof copy has the author's printed name on the dedication leaf, "Your most humble and obedient servant, A. Boyer" where on all other copies seen the name is expunged. Minor autograph corrections in a contemporary hand further corroborate this - correcting spelling errors (p. pp. 6, 43, 69) as well as a word choice change (p.64) imply early editorial changes, possibly even in the author's hand.

Not much can be revealed about Richard Symes, though his bookplates appear also in works housed in the Franks Collection and Durham University Library. Ownership of these other documented works might suggest a legal background, but there is no record of him in Inns of Court entry registers.