Palassou, Pierre Bernard | An illustrated study of the geology of the Pyrenees

Palassou, Pierre Bernard

Essai sur la minéralogie des Monts-Pyrénées: suivi d'un catalogue des plantes observées dans cette chaîne des montagnes. Paris: Didot jeune, Alex. Jombert, & Esprit, 1781

4to (257 x 197 mm). Half-title with pasted-down bookseller’s label, woodcut device on title, typographic decorations throughout, with 12 engraved plates, and 10 engraved maps (9 folding, 1 heightened in hand color); intermittent pale spotting, some short tears in the folding maps around the folds and tabs, as is often the case. In contemporary calf-backed tan paper boards, flat spine with gilt decorations and a red morocco lettering piece, red silk ribbon; rebacked with original spine laid down, rubbing to the boards, wear to extremities, front hinge cracked, rear hinge repaired.

First edition, “The first full scientific description of the geological structure of the Pyrenees” (Zittel). This, the author's lifelong study of the geology and mineralogy of the Pyrenees region, is handsomely illustrated throughout with large folding mineralogical maps and twelve plates of stratigraphic views. Palassou (1745-1830) thoroughly documented the mineralogical character of the area, providing symbols of locations for granite, schists, and calcareous rocks, noting extinct volcanoes, and the underlying structures of the mountains. The book was beautifully printed by Didot jeune (with particularly attractive typographic ornaments) and the plates were engraved "avec des caracteres mobiles inventes par Mr. Capitaine."

A very good copy of a scarce book — since this copy was sold in 2001, only three have appeared at auction. 

REFERENCES

Karl Alfred von Zittel, History of Geology and Palaeontology to the End of the Nineteenth Century, p. 102

PROVENANCE

C. H. Colville (autograph and purchase note on front pastedown) — Charles Robert Colville (bookplate) — Joseph A. Freilich (bookplate; Sotheby’s, January 10 and 11, 2001, lot 418)