René-Antoine Ferchault de RÉAUMUR

Lot 275
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Estimation :
1500 - 2500 EUR
René-Antoine Ferchault de RÉAUMUR
Memories to serve the history of insects. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1734-1742. 6 volumes in-4, marbled calf, spine with 5 decorated nerves (contemporary binding). Brunet, IV. 1131 / Cohen, 855 / Nissen, 3315 /// I. (2f.)-654-(1f.), 50 pl. / II. (1f.)-XLVI-(1f.)-514-(1f.), 40 pl. / III. (2f.)- XL-532, 47 items / IV. XXXIV-(1f.)-636, 44 pp. / V. (2f.)-XLIV-728, 38 items / VI. (2f.)-LXXX-608, 48 pl. ORIGINAL EDITION illustrated with 6 vignettes, 6 letters and 267 folding plates engraved on copper by Lucas, Haussard, Simonneau, Filloeul... Fundamental work due to one of the greatest scientific minds of his time. René-Antoine de Réaumur, nicknamed The Pliny of the 18th century, is very well known for his work in physics, geometry, the research he did on electricity, arts and crafts, the manufacture of steel, cannons ... But he was also a great scientist in the field of natural history and his Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire des insectes remains an authoritative work both for the scientific analysis of insects and for their behavioural study. Cohen mentions a portrait that is missing here, but to which other bibliographies do not refer. Ex-libris Jacob Chapet. Nice copy in spite of small defects of use, some marginal wetnesses, some wormholes and stains on some plates of volume VI, some plates badly placed.
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