[LA MÉSANGÈRE (Pierre de) and Louis-Marie LANTÉ. Galerie française de femmes célèbres par leurs talens, leur rang ou leur beauté. Paris, publisher, 1827. In-folio, brown half calf with corners, smooth spine decorated with fillets, smooth edges (Binding of the period). First edition, comprising 70 plates drawn by Louis-Marie Lanté, engraved by Georges-Jacques Gatine and finely coloured at the time, with an explanatory text opposite each plate by Pierre de La Mésangère, the publisher of the Journal des dames et des modes. "These beautifully engraved and coloured plates represent French costumes from the 12th to the 18th century. This is considered to be the first edition" (Colas). The volume is enriched by seven unsigned coloured engravings showing six historical female costumes and Marie-Louise's wedding basket given by Napoleon. Spine skilfully rebound; some foxing and slightly yellowed plates. Colas, n°1765 - Vicaire, IV, 1362.