Histoire naturelle

New edition printed by Crapelet and illustrated with 349 figures including a frontispiece portrait in volume 1, all in contemporary hand-coloring. This edition was later followed by octavo reissues with 263 plates in black. This edition was begun in 1799 and extended until 1804, as volumes by Buffon were later joined by Bloch's Natural History, Bosc's History of Shells, Natural History of Worms, etc... It was intended to comprise all natural histories written, in 80 volumes. It is naturally quite rare to find a copy with colored figures, the vast majority being in black. The drawings were executed by De Sève, and the coloring is precise and very fine, the colors very fresh. Each plate is protected by a tissue guard. There are generally at least 2 figures per plate. The greatest number of plates was devoted to birds, about 130, then to fish, about 110.
This collection contains History of the Earth, History of Man, History of Quadrupeds through volume X, Birds volumes XI to XXVI, Minerals volumes XXVII to XXXI, Fish volumes XXXII to XXXVI, whose authors this time are Eugène Melchior and Louis PATRIN
Contemporary full marbled calf binding. Smooth spine decorated with 4 central fleurons in diamond shapes and scrollwork, fillets and roulettes. Title label and volume labels in chocolate calf. Greek key border on covers. Marbled edges.
Upper joint of volume I split, and lower joint split at tail. Headcap of volume V worn. A lack at head of volume X. Volumes XIX and XXII, head partially worn. In volume XXIV, upper joint narrowly split at head. Volume XIII, a lack along the upper joint at tail. Paper generally fresh and white, occasionally some rare spotting in margins. In volume XXIV, dampstain to inner margin of title page, extending to text. In volume II, pp. 119 to 144, pale yellow dampstain to lower corner, extending onto page. Volume XIX, dampstain from page 1 to 34 over 2/3 of page. Volume XX, upper joint slightly split in part. Some corners bumped. Signs of rubbing.
Handsome set in this Empire binding. Rare collection with colored figures.