Buffon

1770 · 878P19 — Paris: L'Imprimerie Royale 1770-85. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 6.5" by 4". Not Stated. An uncommon to see complete set of Buffon's influential natural history work these lavishly illustrated eighteen volumes focussing on birds. The first edition.Complete in eighteen volumes.In the original French.Buffon's influential 'Histoire Naturelle'.'Histoire Naturelle' is an encylopaedic work originally running to 36 volumes by Buffon being continued by his colleagues led by Lacepede after his death.An extensive study on birds an essential work of natural history which explores many different species of birds accompanied by detailed engravings.This was an incredibly important resource on the subject of natural history in eighteenth century France providing a wealth of information on all living things accompanied by detailed engravings.Volume I is illustrated with fourteen plates.Volume II is illustrated with fifteen plates.Volume III is illustrated with nine plates.Volume IV is illustrated with eighteen plates.Volume V is illustrated with nineteen plates.Volume VI is illustrated with twelve plates.Volume VII is illustrated with thirteen plates.Volume VIII is illustrated with fourteen plates.Volume IX is illustrated with fifteen plates.Volume X is illustrated with seven plates.Volume XI is illustrated with fifteen plates.Volume XII is illustrated with ten plates.Volume XIII is illustrated with fourteen plates.Volume XIV is illustrated with seventeen plates.Volume XV is illustrated with twenty-four plates.Volume XVI is illustrated with fifteen plates.Volume XVII is illustrated with twenty-three plates.Volume XVIII is illustrated with seven plates.Collated complete. In a full calf binding. Externally a little worn. Bumping to the head and tail of the spines and to the extremities with a small amount of loss to the head of the spines of Volumes I II VII X XI XII XIII XIV and XVI. Light rubbing and a few small marks to the boards and spines. Small chip to the rear board of Volume I. Three small worm holes to the front joint of Volume II to the rear joint of Volume V to the front joint of Volume IX joints of Volume XI joints of Volume XII front joint of Volume XIV front joint of Volume XV and joints of Volume XVII. Two small damp stains to the front board of Volume VIII. Heavier wear to the front board of Volume X with loss of leather. Small mark to the front board of Volume IX. A small amount of loss to the tail of the front board of Volume XII. Two very small patches of loss to the rear board of Volume XIII. Patch of heavier rubbing to the front board of Volumes XV and XVIII. Internally firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean with the occasional scattered spot. Stamp to the title pages. Very Good L'Imprimerie Royale hardcover