RUSSIA - BETZKY: Les Plans et les statuts des différents éta - Lot 266

RUSSIA - BETZKY: Les Plans et les statuts des différents établissements ordonnés par sa majesté impériale Catherine II pour l'éducation de la jeunesse et l'utilité générale de son Empire. Amsterdam, Rey, 1775. 2 volumes in 1 vol. In-4 contemporary shagreened basane, ornate smooth spine, green title page, speckled edges (some spotting). From the bilbiothèque du château de Valençay (bookplate). First edition, illustrated with 2 engraved frontispieces, 5 folding tables, 5 plates (3 of which are hors-texte folding plates) and 66 large engraved vignettes in the text, mainly by Russian artists, with the exception of a few vignettes by Picard. In close contact with the Encyclopedist circle, adviser to Catherine II on educational matters and director of the Imperial Buildings, Ivan Betzky composed this vast plan to reform education and teaching in Russia. Inspired by philanthropy, it covers theoretical, practical and material (architecture) aspects, and extends to all classes of the population. The work contains an extensive introduction and "Réflexions sur l'Education des Demoiselles" by translator Nicolas Gabriel Le Clerc. Diderot, whose influence is felt throughout the work, was enthusiastic about the project. He supervised the French translation and added his own comments; a laudatory letter of his own closes the last volume. A fine copy.