[DURIVAL (Nicolas)] - Mémoire sur la Lorraine et le Barrois. - Lot 305

[DURIVAL (Nicolas)] - Mémoire sur la Lorraine et le Barrois. Suivi de la table alphabétique et topographique des lieux. Nancy, Chez Henry Thomas, 1753; in-4, XV-601 pp. + corrections, bound in contemporary full marbled calf, spine decorated with 5 bands, speckled edges, green morocco title-piece. Elder brother of Jean-Baptiste Luton Durival, Nicolas Durival spent his entire career in the Lorraine administration. After a good education, he was placed in the offices of the Intendance de Lorraine, and devoted himself entirely to acquiring the knowledge necessary for an administrator. Struck by the imperfection of existing works on the topography of Lorraine, he set out to write one that, while avoiding the dryness of nomenclatures and the prolixity of individual histories, would contain accurate notes on the country's towns, cities and villages. He published various essays, the better to know whether his project would be appreciated, and to ask enlightened people for help. Finally, after twenty years of work and research, he published a Description de la Lorraine et du Barrois, which was rightly regarded as a model for works of this kind. He then served as Clerk to Stanislas Leszczynski's Council of State, and finally as Lieutenant of Police in Nancy. Consultant: Mr. Philippe HENRY