[LA MÉSANGÈRE (Pierre de) and LANTÉ (Louis-Marie). Galerie française de femmes célèbres par leurs talens, leur rang ou leur beauté. Paris, publisher, 1827. In-folio of [2] f., 70 plates and 70 sheets of notes opposite. Old signed binding in red morocco, very ornate ribbed spine, boards cold-stamped with a romantic decoration and framed with a quadruple gilt fillet, guilloché edges and headpieces, inner lace, all edges gilt (R. P. Ginain). This first edition presents 70 plates drawn by Louis-Marie Lanté and engraved by Georges-Jacques Gatine, each with an explanatory text by Pierre de La Mésangère. The author of the texts was also the editor of the Journal des Dames et des modes. "These beautifully engraved and coloured plates depict French women's costumes from the 12th to the 18th century. This is considered to be the first edition," says Colas. (Colas, 1765)