Nouveau Dictionaire D'Histoire Naturelle.

Paris: chez Deterville, Libraire, Rue Hautefeuille No. 8. 1816-1819. . Hardcover. Good. Nouveau edition presqu'entierment refondue et considerablemont augmentee; avec des figures tirees des trois regnes de la nature. 30 of 36 volumes, lacking volumes 18, 19, 27, 28, 35 and 36. With 232 (of 233) fine copper engraved plates of natural history subjects. Full mottled calf French binding of the era. Backstrips in 6 compartments, double labels, flat bands, elaborate gilt decoration. Marbled endpapers and edges, which are somewhat dusty. Prelims of vol 1 dusty and soiled, top board detached. Backstrip of vol 11 missing and 6 or so other backstrips partially defective. It is an original matching set but some of the bindings are darkened and cracked, which may be evidence of old smoke damage. The interiors are generally fresh and clean. With contributions by the leading authorities of the time, this set was a comprehensive and scholarly work of reference in its day, and it remains valuable for what we can learn about the science of Natural History in the opening years of the 19th century. Includes charming depictions of kangaroos and a koala in vol 17, with associated text. French text.