L'Histoire naturelle eclaircie dans deux de ses parties principales, la Lithologie et la Conchyliologie, dont l'une traite des pierres et l'autre des coquillages. Ouvrage dans lequel on trouve une nouvelle methode & une notice critique des principaux auteurs qui ont ecrit sur ces matieres. by DEZALLIER D'ARGENVILLE, Antoine-Joseph (1680-1765) - 1742

Paris:: De Bure l'Aine, 1742., 1742. Two parts in one volume. 4to. [8], 1-230, [2] [=*230+*230], [2], 231-491 [1] pp. Title printed in red & black, engraved allegorical frontispiece by Chedel after Francois Boucher and 32 engraved plates, Additions et Corrections. Later quarter calf, thin gilt bands, black leather title label, marbled boards, all fore-edges marbled; some minor kozo repairs to joints, the spine being split at the bottom gilt-band. Very good. Rare first editions, of the first natural history works written by Dezallier d'Argenville (1680-1765) and one of the most famous on the subject of conchology and lithology at the time of the Enlightenment. This important work was issued in two parts, the first on lithotomy, or rocks, and the second on conchology, or shells. It is dedicated to the Society of Sciences of Montpellier which had welcomed the author among its members. This book was written for naturalists and collectors and encouraged them to order and classify their shells. / In this work, Dezallier d'Argenville, opens with a history of important authors, then he proceeds to describe his extensive collection of rare specimens of natural science, including minerals, fossils, petrified wood, geological oddities. The second, and most notable part, is on the author's shell collection. / The superb frontispiece by Francois Boucher (official painter of Louis XV) engraved by Pierre Quentin Chedel (1705-1763). This zoomorphic illustration, showing a wide range of nature from bees, amphibians, elephants & shells, all elaborately engraved in a Baroque style, is typical of the Master. The engravings by Chedel are captioned with the names of the contributors to their execution. An anonymous artist captioned, "sa modestie ne permette pas que son nom acheve cet eloge" ["his modesty does not allow his name to complete this praise"] (p. 233). In-fine interesting alphabetical table of Latin and Greek names. The author participated in the Encyclopedia of Diderot and d'Alembert, he wrote a treatise on architecture as well as on gardening. / Dezallier d'Argenville (1680-1765), originally trained as a painter, became interested in natural history. From that interest he underwent many travels while collecting specimens, and formed one of the finest cabinets in France. See the nineth & tenth chapters in the book (pp. 192-197, 198-230), wherein the author describes the principle natural history cabinets known in Europe of the time. Carl von Linne used this work to organize his own collection. Dezallier was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in March 1750. It is known that Dezallier also collaborated for the famous Diderot Encyclopdie. [See: John Lough, Rich N. Schwab & Walter E. Rex, Inventory of Diderot's Encyclopedie, Studies on Voltaire and the eighteenth century; XCIII, pp. 18-21]. / Francois Boucher (1703-1770), French painter, draughtsman and etcher, worked in the Rococo style. He is known for his idyllic and voluptuous paintings on classical themes, decorative allegories, and pastoral scenes. He is perhaps the most celebrated painter and decorative artist of the 18th century. Pierre Quentin Chedel, engraver and draughtsman, b. Châlons, went to Paris where he became the pupil of Lemoine and Laurent Cars. Worked entirely as an etcher, and mostly for book illustration. His health ruined by overwork, he retired back to his native country before his death. REFERENCES: British Museum – Natural History, III, p. 1203; Brunet II, 522; Caprotti I, pp. 40-41; Cole I -1462; Nissen (ZBI) 144; Barbier II:819; Schuh, Bibliography of Mineralogy, 1337.