Dufrenoy, Ours Pierre Armand, and Jean Baptiste Élie de Beaumont | The first modern geological map of France

Dufrenoy, Ours Pierre Armand, and Jean Baptiste Élie de Beaumont

Explication de la carte géologique de la France rédigée sous la direction de M. Brochant de Villiers, Inspecteur Général des Mines. Paris: Imprimerie Royale, 1841–1848

2 text volumes, 4to (254 x 190 mm), and large geological map in 6 folding sections (each 730 x 1118 mm). Map hand-colored and dissected on linen by C. E. Collin and J. M. Hacq after A. Desmedryl; minor foxing to map and text. Contemporary French red morocco-backed boards gilt with uniform box for map; extremities worn.

First edition of the first modern geological map of France, commissioned by Brochant de Villiers, Inspector General of Mines, and executed by two of his most talented pupils, Dufrenoy and Élie de Beaumont. Inspired by William Smith and George Bellas Greenough’s pioneering geological maps of England and Wales, the project was conceived to bring equal scientific precision to the French landscape. As Norman observes, “after a stint in England to learn Greenough’s methods, the two young mining engineers divided France between them, and spent the summers from 1825 to 1829 exploring their sectors on foot.” The resulting map, in vivid hand-color, laid the groundwork for modern stratigraphic mapping and remained a touchstone for geological surveys throughout Europe. Three further volumes of commentary followed in 1873, 1878, and 1879.

See Smith's map, lot 24 in "The Library of Barry Yampol: A First Selection. Part 1."

REFERENCES

Norman 1:667; Ward & Carozzi 859–860

PROVENANCE

Martineau des Chesnez (bookplate) — Haskell F. Norman (Christie’s New York, 29 October 1998, lot 1039) — Joseph A. Freilich (booklabel; Sotheby’s New York, 10 January 2001, lot 161)