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Lot 248

GAUTIER D'AGOTY (JACQUES)
Observations sur l'histoire naturelle, sur la physique et sur la peinture, avec des planches imprimées en couleur, parts 1-12 (of 18) bound in one vol., Paris, Delaguette, 1752-1755

11 November 2015, 13:00 GMT
London, Knightsbridge

£8,000 - £12,000

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GAUTIER D'AGOTY (JACQUES)

Observations sur l'histoire naturelle, sur la physique et sur la peinture, avec des planches imprimées en couleur, parts 1-12 (of 18) bound in one vol., separate title to each part (4 printed in red and black), 40 colour-printed engraved plates (2 folding), 4 engraved plans (3 folding), traces of worming and marginal dampstain touching letters on opening few leaves, small paper flaw affecting a few letters on Hii, browning, contemporary calf, lacks most of spine but retaining spine label with dates "1752 a 1754", covers detached, spine cracked resulting in some leaves being detached at beginning and end [Choulant-Frank, p.273; Cohen-de Ricci 427; Franklin, Early Colour Printing pp. 50-51; Nissen ZBI 1487, calling for 65 plates; Wellcome 13300575], 4to, Paris, Delaguette, 1752-1755

Footnotes

SCARCE RUN OF THE FIRST 12 PARTS (comprising complete set of the first 4 volumes) of a journal devoted to science and art, and the first periodical to be illustrated with plates printed in colours. The colour-printed mezzotints include some of Gautier's most striking images, including several anatomical studies (three of a hermaphrodite), a foetus in a glass with another beside the glass, a sloth (with and without skin), a double-page plate demonstrating Gautier's colour theory and the spectrum (relating to an article in which the author argues against Isaac Newton's theory of colour), a turtle, birds of prey, and silkworms. Apart from a complete set of 18 parts sold in these rooms on 12 November 2013 (lot 198, £28,000) we have traced only one set with as many as 12 parts (Sotheby's, 29 June, 1983, lot 171); the 3 others listed in auction records comprised Parts 1-3 only.

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