Lot Details

Description

Buffon (George Louis Le Clerc Comte de). Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particuliére. A Paris, de l'imprimerie Royale. (30 volumes). 1770 - 1789.

30 volumes in large quarto format, with 802 numbered plates hors-texte, plus portrait, 2 engraved plates, 4 maps, tableau ordres des chiens, tableau méthodique des quadrupèdes ovipares, and tabella methodica quadrupedum oviparorum. Contemporary full marbled blond calf bindings, spines with raised bands richly gilt, titles on morocco lettering pieces, boards framed with triple gilt fillets. The 6 volumes of Histoire Naturelle form the first section of the prestigious representative quarto edition, substantially following the editio princeps; each volume bears the series title Œuvres complètes. First separate and complete quarto edition of Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux, 9 volumes with 262 full page uncoloured plates, published between 1770 and 1783. Part of the celebrated Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière by Buffon, the monumental encyclopaedic work issued in 36 volumes between 1749 and 1789. This section, devoted to birds and richly illustrated by Jacques De Sève, “still remains one of the most important ornithological works from a collecting standpoint” (Fine Bird Books). Nissen IVB 160. The 1777-1789 series of Histoire des Quadrupèdes represents one of the principal eighteenth century illustrated large quarto editions, an authoritative edition following the first publication of 1753 yet contemporary with Buffon. Histoire Naturelle des Minéraux, by M. le Comte de Buffon, Intendant du Jardin & du Cabinet du Roi, member of the Académie Française and the Académie des Sciences, etc. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1783-1788. Five quarto volumes. First edition devoted to minerals. Histoire Naturelle des Quadrupèdes Ovipares et des Serpens, by M. le Comte de Lacépède, Keeper of the King’s Cabinet and member of the Royal Academies and Societies of Dijon. Paris, Hôtel de Thou, Rue des Poitevins, 1788, under privilege of the Académie Royale des Sciences. Two quarto volumes. First edition. Lacépède was the scientific continuator of Buffon’s work after his death, and these works constitute the official continuation of the great Histoire Naturelle.

Contents:
Oiseaux (1770-1783) - 9 volumes with 262 plates: 29 plates in vol. I; 27 in vol. II; 31 in vol. III; 27 in vol. IV; 22 in vol. V; 25 in vol. VI; 31 in vol. VII; 39 in vol. VIII; 31 in vol. IX.
Histoire Naturelle (1774-1779) - 6 volumes with 38 plates + portrait + 2 engraved plates + 4 maps: portrait + 2 illustrated plates + 2 maps in vol. I; 16 plates in vol. II; 8 plates in vol. IV; 6 plates in vol. V; 6 plates + 2 maps in vol. VI.
Quadrupèdes (1777-1789) - 8 volumes with 439 plates: 13 plates in vol. I; 57 plates + tableau ordres des chiens in vol. II; 61 plates in vol. III; 62 plates in vol. IV; 75 plates in vol. V; 51 plates in vol. VI; 38 plates in vol. VII; 39 plates in vol. VIII.
Minéraux (1783-1786) - 5 volumes.
Ovipares (1788); Serpens (1789) - 2 volumes with 63 plates + tableau méthodique des quadrupèdes ovipares + tabella methodica quadrupedum oviparorum.

Dimensions

8° (10,20x7,89in)

Provenience

Private collection

Condition

Wide-margined copy in excellent condition. Occasional browning and light foxing. Reddish staining in volume II of Histoire Naturelle des Minéraux, pp. 345–352 and 417–423.

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