Jules césar

1805 · 17929 — Paris 1805. 8vo. Allais Contemporary half red morocco and marbled paper sides gold-tooled spine and brown sprinkled edges. With 6 engraved plates including 3 folding designed by Redouté and Barraband and executed by Bouquet. XIV 224 pp. First edition of the natural and mythological history of the ibis illustrated with beautifully engraved designs. The author Marie Jules-César Lelorgue de Savigny 1777-1851 gives an account of the black and white ibis their mythical position in ancient Egypt with the several cults that existed their natural habitat and the answer to the question whether they eat snakes and why or not. Six numbered engravings illustrate the work showing the black and white ibis close-ups from the beak and leg and some ancient illustrations. H.J. Redouté and Barraband designed the illustrations. Both were extraordinary good artists and probably two of the greatest illustrators of natural history of all time. We only know Redouté as such because Barraband died rather young. However by that time he had already made beautiful ornithological illustrations for Levaillant's works on parrots and birds of paradise. De Savigny's Description de l'Egypte appeared during the years 1809-1830 in which he published his observations and investigations made during the military expeditions of Napoleon's army to Egypt in the years 1798-1801. The section dealing with natural history was printed in 4 volumes in 1809-1820 with plates designed by J.H. Redouté and Barraband and executed by Bouquet. The present work is a sort of "preview" of this grander project here only focussing on the ibis.With an autograph dedication by the author on the half-title and two partially damaged book plates on the front pastedown "Bibliothèque du Chateau de . = erased" and "Bibliothèque . E. Me. . = erased". The binding shows signs of wear with rubbed boards the first four leaves after the title page are trimmed short the final leaf is torn without affecting the illustration and there is some foxing and browning throughout. Otherwise in good condition.l Nissen Vogelbücher 819; Ronsil 2718; not in Anker. hardcover