GUÉRIN-MENEVILLE, Félix-Edouard. Dictionnaire pittoresque d'histoire naturelle et des phénomènes de la nature.
Paris: Au Bureau de Souscription, 1833-39.
Quarto (297 x 200 mm). Twelve volumes. Vol. I: (2) ff., 640 pp.; Vol. II: (2) ff., 640 pp.; Vol. III: (2) ff., 640 pp.; Vol. IV: (2) ff., 640 pp.; Vol. V: (2) ff., 640 pp.; Vol. VI: (2) ff., 640 pp.; Vol. VII: (2) ff., 640 pp.; Vol. VIII: (2) ff., 640 pp.; Vol. IX: (2) ff., 663-12 pp.; Vol. X: 259 pl.; Vol. XI: 231 pl.; Vol. XII: (1) f., 230 pl.
Original green publisher's boards, smooth spine, title and volume number in gilt.
A rare first edition, from the personal library of Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1805–1861).
Our copy is complete with all 720 plates—a rarity—illustrated by Acarie Beron, Adolph Fried, Félix-Edouard Guérin, Jean-Jacques Huot, Newport, Oudard, de Sainson, Martin St. Ange and Varin.
Félix-Edouard Guérin-Meneville took part in Duperrey's expedition to the Australian coast and contributed to Bory de Saint-Vincent's major expedition, as well as to his publication on the discoveries made in Morea. He was responsible for the discovery of numerous species endemic to Australia, particularly butterflies.
Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1805–1861), son of Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1772–1844), was the founder of the discipline of teratology, or the study of monstrosities. It was this work, a major part of the scientist's life, that was read, studied and cited in the works of Charles Darwin. He was one of the directors of the National Museum of Natural History, President of the Academy of Sciences, and professor of ornithology and zoology at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris.
Scuffs and worn corners on the bindings, occasionally with a few scratches; foxing in the text volumes – mainly on the title pages; the plate volumes are free from foxing.
From the library of Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1805–1861); his stamp appears in every volume except volume 7.
