GUETTARD (Jean-Étienne). Mémoires sur différentes parties de - Lot 210

GUETTARD (Jean-Étienne). Mémoires sur différentes parties des sciences et des arts. Paris, Laurent Prault, 1768-1770. 3 volumes in-4, marbled calf, ornate spine, red edges (period binding). First edition, first volume of this important publication, with 89 engraved plates. (Pritzel, 3634; Oberlé, 446.) This highly esteemed collection contains numerous natural history memoirs (fossil bones, mineralogy, corals, lenticular or numismatic stones, etc.). Some concern Chinese porcelain, while others are of gastronomic interest (truffles, white poppies, onion and garlic cultivation, wheat germination, etc.). The author, born in 1715 and died in 1786, came from a family of physicians and apothecaries, and was the keeper of the Duke of Orleans' natural history cabinet. Two further illustrated volumes appeared in 1783. Old annotations on some plates. Handwritten bookplate on one endpaper, modern printed bookplate. Some wear to boards, tear to head.