
Rare first edition of these engaging memoirs on the mathematician Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Fourier (1768–1830), Secretary of the Institut d'Égypte and Prefect of Isère from 1802 to 1815 (cf. Tulard 302.)
Bound in half blond calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets, chainwork and garlands, red morocco title label, rubbing to the joints, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns of laid paper, speckled edges, original wrappers preserved, contemporary binding.
Occasional light foxing.
Work illustrated with a folding plate (the Dendera Zodiac).
Jacques-Joseph Champollion-Figeac (1778–1867) served as his secretary in Grenoble.
At the head of the upper cover, autograph inscription from Jacques-Joseph Champollion to the archaeologist Désiré Raoul-Rochette (1789–1854).