Gobet, Nicolas | First edition of this compilation of early works on Minerology

Gobet, Nicolas

Les anciens minéralogistes du royaume de France. Paris: Chez Ruault, 1779

2 volumes, 8vo (192 x 120 mm). Half-titles, one engraved folding plate; very occasional small spots, a few later manuscript annotations in pencil, volume I with short marginal tears to leaves b4 and b8, creases in leaves c4 and L4 (both from before the book was bound), and a small loss to the lower corner of leaf C2 and to the bottom edge of the folding plate, the folding plate is misplaced (opposite p. 440 rather than p. 425). Contemporary mottled calf, gilt supralibros monogrammed "D. R.," smooth spines gilt, each with two red morocco spine labels, marbled endpapers and edges; expert repair to spines, joints, and lower board of volume 2, the numeral spine label on volume 1 has been replaced to style.

First edition of Nicolas Gobet's valuable compilation of early French texts on mineralogy and mining, of which some of the original editions are now difficult to obtain. The compilation includes the works of Cesar d'Arcons, Belon, Garrault, J. de Malus (père et fils), Reamur, Louis Savot, Hautin de Villars, and others, accompanied by Gobet's important biographical and bibliographical notes. Gobet studied chemistry with Guillaume-François Rouelle, and he augmented his knowledge of mineralogy by visiting an iron works with minerologist Gabriel Jars in 1762. Gobet's other publishing projects also focused on preserving and perpetuating early works of chemistry and mineralogy. He prepared an edition of the works of Bernard Palissy with Faujas de St. Fond in 1777 (see lot 162) and translated Pallas' Observations on the Formation of Mountains in 1782. A very bright, fresh copy in a contemporary binding.

REFERENCES

Ferguson 1:332

PROVENANCE

“D.R.” (gilt supralibros to boards) — Joseph A. Freilich (booklabel; Sotheby’s New York, 10 January 2001, lot 214)