Thomas Smith - Le Cabinet du jeune naturaliste - 1821

An equally instructive as entertaining natural history of the early 19th century – famous for its 65 charming copper engravings, in which lions, tigers, birds and reptiles are encountered just as much as boxing kangaroos and an orangutan who sits at the table with his hosts, very human-like. Paris, L. Tenré, 1821. 6 volumes. 366; 326; 295; 335; 359; 364 pages. Complete with a total of 65 copper engravings, including 6 engraved frontispieces, 6 richly illustrated engraved titles and 53 further copper plates. Modern, very decorative green half-leather bindings with gold-embossed spines, red spine labels, endpapers. 18 x 12 cm Complete six-volume edition of this especially charming French natural history for a young audience. The work treats in systematic sequence mammals, birds, fishes, amphibians, reptiles and other animal groups and combines natural history descriptions with entertaining stories and observations. Around 430 species are covered. The particular charm lies in the copper engravings. Rather than portraying the animals solely in a sober scientific manner, the illustrators frequently place them in small narrative scenes. Lions and tigers appear in dramatic landscapes, exotic birds and reptiles are depicted in detailed fashion, and the famous orangutan sits together with a couple at a laid table. It is precisely this mix of natural history, exotica and occasionally quirky staging that makes the work a characteristic and exceedingly decorative testament to the popular natural history of the early 19th century. Exceptionally clean copies, only minimally foxed. The six volumes have been professionally rebound in uniform, very decorative half-leather bindings. Overall a very attractive, complete copy with all 65 copper engravings.

Estimation:€300

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