1963 Signed by Jean Drapeau to UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson - Montreal A Pictorial Record by De Volpi.
A remarkable deluxe copy of the definitive pictorial history of Montreal — uniquely inscribed by Mayor Jean Drapeau to British Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
A rare association copy linking two major political figures of the 20th century, and a significant artifact of Montreal’s cultural and diplomatic history.
Author: Charles P. De Volpi, F.R.P.S.L., and P.S. Winkworth.
Title: Montréal: Recueil Iconographique / A Pictorial Record: Historical Prints and Illustrations of the City of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada. 1535–1885.
Publisher: Montreal, Dev-Sco Publications Ltd., 1963. First Edition. Complete in two volumes. Deluxe Edition.
Language: Text in English and French.
Size: 13" x 10".
Pages: 311 pages.
Binding: Fine deluxe full crushed morocco binding, with embossed Montreal crest to the front covers, gilt-titled spines, and calf endpapers. A handsome and substantial presentation set, protected in a removable mylar cover.
Content: Fine condition — bright, tight, and clean. Original bookmarks present. Inscribed on the title page to UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson and signed by Jean Drapeau, Mayor of Montreal, in 1964.
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated with over 300 historical prints, maps, and views of Montreal.
Estimate: Unique deluxe association copy, inscribed to Harold Wilson and signed by Jean Drapeau. From the library of the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The books: Widely regarded as the pictorial reference work on Montreal, this monumental two-volume set documents the visual history of the city from its earliest depictions in the 16th century through the 19th century.
The work brings together an extraordinary collection of prints, maps, and illustrations, offering a detailed visual narrative of Montreal’s evolution across three centuries.
Association copy: This particular example is distinguished by its exceptional provenance — inscribed by Jean Drapeau, the influential Mayor of Montreal, to Harold Wilson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
This connection elevates the set beyond its bibliographical importance, transforming it into a document of cultural diplomacy and international exchange during a defining period of Montreal’s modern history.
Collector’s note: Association copies linking major political figures are highly sought after, particularly when tied to historically significant cities such as Montreal. Combined with its deluxe binding and authoritative content, this set represents a unique opportunity unlikely to be replicated.
The authors: Charles P. De Volpi and P.S. Winkworth are recognized authorities in the study of historical prints and iconography. Their work remains a cornerstone reference for collectors and historians interested in Canadian visual history.
✔ Signed by Jean Drapeau (Mayor of Montreal)
✔ Inscribed to UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson
✔ From Harold Wilson’s personal library
✔ Deluxe morocco binding
✔ Definitive pictorial history of Montreal