La Theorie et la Pratique du Jardinage Value Guide

First published anonymously in 1709 by Antoine-Joseph Dezallier d'Argenville, this work is a cornerstone of landscape architecture that codified the 'jardin a la francaise' style. It is highly collectible for its detailed technical plates and its role in disseminating the formal design principles used by Andre Le Notre at Versailles.

What Is La Theorie et la Pratique du Jardinage Worth?

The typical price range for La Theorie et la Pratique du Jardinage is $850 - $930 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the gold leaf tooling and the integrity of the calfskin spine.
• The completeness of the architectural plates and fold-out garden diagrams.
• The specific edition year, with the 1709 first edition generally commanding higher interest.
• Provenance markings or bookplates from notable historical botanical libraries.

How to Identify La Theorie et la Pratique du Jardinage?

• Check for the original gold-tooled calfskin binding typical of early 18th-century French editions.
• Verify the presence of intricate copperplate engravings detailing parterres, bosquets, and terrace construction.
• Look for the anonymous attribution or d'Argenville's name in later editions published between 1709 and 1747.
• Examine the handmade paper for period-correct watermarks and characteristic chain lines.

History of La Theorie et la Pratique du Jardinage

First published anonymously in 1709 by Antoine-Joseph Dezallier d'Argenville, this work revolutionized formal garden design. It codified the principles of the 'jardin a la francaise' made famous by Andre Le Notre at Versailles, detailing everything from terrace construction to the design of elaborate parterres and bosquets.