DESCRIPTION DES FESTES donnés par la ville de Paris, à l'occasion du mariage de Madame Louise-Elisabeth de France et de Dom Philippe, Infant et Grand Amiral d'Espagne. Paris, P.-G. Le Mercier, 1740, large folio, red morocco, gilt fleur-de-lis border, fleurs-de-lis at the corners, gilt coat-of-arms in the centre, spine decorated with fleurs-de-lis, decorated edges, gilt inner border, gilt edges (period binding). Unique edition of this sumptuous festive book, commemorating the festivities given by the city of Paris following the marriage by proxy of Madame Première, eldest daughter of Louis XV, to the infant Philippe, second son of Philippe V of Spain, celebrated at Versailles on 26 August 1739. Louise-Élisabeth de France, then aged twelve, did not see her husband for the first time until afterwards, on Spanish territory, and the actual wedding took place on 25 October. The festivities took place on an artificial island built by the Italian architect Servandoni between the Pont Royal and the Pont Neuf, in front of the Louvre. Sixty illuminated boats gave the signal for fireworks, sea monster battles, torrents of fire and water and a "cradle of stars". One of the most beautiful festival books of the 18th century, illustrated with a vignette on the title by Bouchardon engraved by Soubeyran, a header by Rigaud depicting a naval joust on the Seine and 13 majestic-sized plates outside the text, including 5 full-page plates and 8 double-page plates, engraved by Blondel after Bonel, Gabriel, Sallet and Servandoni. Particularly noteworthy are the two famous views of the fireworks display on the Seine and the decorations and illuminations of the salons of the Hôtel-de-Ville. A present-day copy luxuriously bound in red morocco with the coat of arms of the city of Paris. Hinges partially cracked and restored, headpieces and corners worn; a few stains, freckles and light wetness not serious; repair at the bottom of a plate, consolidated tear on folio A1. Cohen, 288 - Mourey, 210-222 - Vinet, n°519 (erroneous collation) - cat. Ruggieri, n°570.