Précis du système hiéroglyphique des anciens Egyptiens, ou recherches sur les éléments premiers de cette écriture sacrée …

Two parts (text and atlas) in one large volume in-8º of [4], xvj, 410 pp. 16 pl.- 45 pp. 32 pl.num 1-21 and A-K. Contemporary full blond glazed calf, spine with 6 nerves, richly decorated spine, black morocco title-piece, gilt and cold rolled boards, arms in the center, gilt edges (Hayday binding) (Some minor spotting. Freckles)

First edition. "It is mainly on this work that rests the reputation of the famous scholar that a premature death came to take away from important works..."(Brunet). Two years after the publication of his Lettre à M. Two years after the publication of his Letter to Mr. Dacier, fundamental work, considered as the starting point of the modern Egyptology, in which Champollion made share of his method of reading of the hieroglyphs, the author exposes in his Précis of the hieroglyphic system of the ancient Egyptians published with the expenses of the State, the results of his demonstrations on the general principles of the graphic system of the Egyptians, the nature and the reciprocal relations of the three kinds of writings. "It is a complex system, a writing all at once figurative, symbolic and phonetic, in the same text, I would say almost the same word" he writes.

The work is illustrated with 48 plates, 16 of which are folded (1st part). The second part of the work includes two series of plates with their explanations: 21 plates for the "General table of hieroglyphic signs and groups", and 15 plates for the "Hebrew, Coptic, Greek and Egyptian harmonic alphabet".

A second edition was published in 1828.

Numerous handwritten annotations in graphite throughout the work. Binding signed Hayday on the verso of the first endpaper.

Brunet I, 1780; Quérard II, 124; Gay 1758; Blackmer 308 (2nd edition); En français dans le texte 234