BUFFON Georges-Louis Leclerc comte de Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière.

Nissen, ZBI, 679 (erroneous plate count).

A delightful edition of Buffon, complete in 54 volumes. The series is illustrated with a portrait of Buffon  engraved by Thelott under the direction of Schmitzof after a drawing by Mannlich, and 328 copperplate illustrations, most of which were finely coloured at the time.

Details of the plates: A total of 329 plates (including 1 portrait, 4 folding maps and 25 un coloured plates) of which 299 engraved plates, finely coloured at the time.

Nissen gives an incorrect count of plates (he omits the portrait and gives only 6 plates instead of 7 for volume 42 as part of the secion of ornithology).

The carefully printed series is divided into 4 main chapters: General History (volumes 1-13 decorated with a total of 29 engravings including the portrait, 4 folding maps and 24 plates. All 29 engravings are uncoloured). Quadrupeds (volumes 14-27 decorated with 186 plates, 185 of which are finely coloured). Ornithology (volumes 28-45 decorated with 114 finely coloured plates). Minerals (volumes 46-54, not illustrated). Some of the finely coloured plates in the ornithology section bear the name of the engraver Pillement fils.

Volumes 26 and 27, published in 1791, contain texts by Buffon, revised by Lacépède after the death of the great naturalist. The original manuscripts had been handed over to him by the family (Buffon’s son and brother) to ensure their publication.

A very fine copy, elegantly bound at the end of the 18th century, and complete with all the required plates.