Gauthier-Villars

First edition illustrated with two etched plates under tissue guards.

Claude Bernard’s (1813–1878) laboratory notes on alcoholic fermentation (see pp. 3–33) record his experiments on the search for yeast germs on grape clusters, the formation of alcohol in grape juice without ferment, on sound and rotten grapes, on the search for a soluble alcoholic ferment and the influence of decay, and on the production of alcohol. All these experiments were conducted on his estate at Saint-Julien in October 1877, during the grape harvest.

This conception of a soluble ferment as the origin of yeast, a living organism, marked the starting point of the famous controversy between Pasteur and Berthelot.

Rare and appealing copy, largely uncut.

First edition illustrated with in-text figures.

Spine split, small losses to the spine and boards, otherwise a clean and pleasant copy internally.

One of Pasteur’s principal collaborators, Charles Chamberland (1851–1908) served as deputy director of Pasteur’s laboratory on rue d’Ulm from 1879 to 1888.

First edition, printed in a small number, of this offprint from the Bulletin hebdomadaire de l'Association scientifique de France of 16 and 23 December 1883.

Slight losses to the corners of the wrappers, a small stain at the head of the upper cover.

Rare offprint providing the report of the scientific mission of the Talisman [1882-1883] directed by Léon Louis Vaillant, whose results were considerable, particularly regarding the ichthyological fauna of the great depths.

Alphonse Milne-Edwards [1835-1900], professor of zoology at the Muséum and member of the Académie des Sciences, was one of the members of the scientific commission of the Talisman expedition. 

Inscribed and signed by A. Milne-Edwards on the upper cover.

First edition of this major work, illustrated with 12 engraved plates and 85 figures in the text (cf. Garrison-Morton 2485. Osler 1550. Duveen 461. Cushing P/139. Waller 10966. Norman 1658).

In studying the process of fermentation, Pasteur demonstrated that the spoilage of beer was caused by airborne microorganisms, and not by spontaneous generation as previously believed.

His research contributed significantly to the treatment and preservation of perishable beverages such as beer, wine, and milk.

A very attractive copy, preserved in its original wrappers.

First edition, illustrated with four plates bound at the end of the volume, as well as figures and tables within the text.

Bound in contemporary half bottle-green shagreen, spine with five raised bands framed by gilt fillets, gilt library stamp at foot of spine, some rubbing to spine, marbled paper-covered boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, upper corners slightly bumped.

Charles Edouard Guillaume [1861–1938], Swiss physicist, was the inventor of “invar”, a metal notable for its negligible thermal expansion; developed with Benoit and Carpentier.

A very good copy.

First edition of the French translation prepared by Maurice Solovine (cf. Weil 1116).

One tear with a small restored loss to the right margin of the front cover, spine and covers slightly sunned, foxing to covers, two tears at head and foot of spine.

Copy complete with the publisher's announcement leaflet.