PAGES, FRANCOIS XAVIER 1745 1802 (2 resultados)

Hardcover. Condición: Very Good. 4to (240 x 200mm). Later three quarter cloth over mottled calf, morocco label on spine lettered "Cours d Etudes Encyclopediques par Fr. Pagès Planches." (some plates curled at the fore-edge otherwise in tact).These are the complete 61 plates from the second edition of Pagès six volume encyclopedic work on natural history titled the Cours d Etudes. Encyclopedic projects during the French Enlightenment, like that Diderot, were major historical events which precipitated prolonged controversy among intellects and clarified the positions of various amorphous factions in the intellectual and emotional world of the eighteenth century. Those who rallied themselves on the side of the encyclopedists in effect formed a party, or the rudiments of one, which served as the spiritual predecessor for groups of reformers who were to preside in large measure over the transformation of the conditions of life in France and throughout the western world during the next generation. Rather than isolating themselves, scholars like Pagès believed they were very much involved with the affairs of the world and believed that their intellectual activity contributed to the progress of knowledge, serving a social function. These whimsical, animated illustrations exude such energy and articulation of a lively world up for exploration. Complete suites of plates for François Pagés Cours d Etudes Encyclopediques a wonderful visual journey of natural history dating to the French Enlightenment. The first part of Pagès encyclopedic work contains the origins of progress in science, the belle-lettres, fine arts and mechanical arts. The second part is the analysis of their principles and a third part describes the objects in detail. The accompanying plates are arranged in a first suite of folding copper-engraved plates numbered to 51 with representations for musical notation, a pneumatic machine, microscopic cross-sections of cells, tools for telling time, measuring weight and angles and then rich in a variety of animals including a horse, stag, bat, lynx, polar bear, armadillo, elephant, zebra, porcupine, and rare species of birds, fish and sea-life and insects, which make up a bulk of the engravings (approx. 240 x 360mm). A second suite of 10 folding copperplate engravings are sized larger (approx. 330 x 450mm) include a first plate representing an elementary plan of botany, then tables for divisions of animal classes, comparison of measures, nomenclature of birds and fish, and lists of species. On its own this stands as an incredibly rich and interesting visual panorama of natural life, historical context and the expressive engravings make it ever more pleasing.

4 volumes: 3 volumes text, 8vo., (8 x 5 7/8 inches). Half-titles. 6 fine engraved plates including 4 folding by Y. Le Gouaxe after N. Ozane and Copia after Perignon; [WITH]: PAGES, Pierre Marie Francois, Vicomte de (1748-1793). Atlas volume, with 7 fine large engraved maps and 2 plates. Uniformly bound in FINE contemporary tree calf, the spines in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, with red and green morocco lettering-pieces in the second and third, the others decorated with fine gilt tools with the cypher AS by Georg Friedrich Krauss (fl 1791-1824). Provenance: From the library of Albert, Duc de Saxe-Teschen (1738-1822), with his early press-labels and marks on the front paste-downs; with the bookplate of Jean-Paul Morin on the front paste-down of each volume, his sale, Paris, 4th November 2011, lot 94. First edition of the collected voyages of Fancois-Xavier Pages, with the first edition of the RARE atlas volume intended to accompany the Vicomte de Pages' account of his "Voyages autour du monde et vers les deux poles" published in 1782. This atlas contains many significant maps including "Carte Reduite du Globe Terrestre pour servir aux Tres Voyages autour du Monde et vers les deux Poles. en 1782", showing Pages' journey through the Philippines and across America from New Orleans to Mexico City; his "Carte d'une partie de l'Amerique Septentrionale, qui contient partie de la N.le Espagne, et de la Louisiane", shows the southern part of Louisiana, Mexico and the southern tip of California, the Apache lands, the province of de los Texas, the Mines of Serro Prietto and the route of de Pages across America from New Orleans to Acapulco, up the Red River, then overland, showing a number of Missions, Indian Villages and other settlements in Texas and Louisiana; "Carte du Spits-Berg, et Partie de la Cote de Galles Hams-Kes au Nouveau Groenland" shows the north-east tip of America; "Carte reduite d'une partie des Cotes des Isles Australes" shows islands in the southernmost regions of the Indian Ocean. De Pages, was an officer in the French Navy stationed in Santo Domingo in 1766 when he received a commission to search for the northwest passage by way of the eastern coast of Asia. He sailed first to New Orleans where he accompanied the Spanish Governor of Texas on a journey to Natchitoches and on to San Antonio by way of the Red River in 1767. His published account includes a 15-page description of Texas. "The Texas part of the journey began at New Orleans in the summer of 1767 and was by way of the Red River to Natchitoches, then to Nacodoches and San Antonio, this last stage being in the train of the Spanish governor of Texas, who was returning to San Antonio" (Streeter). There is a reference to de Pages having been in Saltillo in 1767 in Humboldt's "Essai politique sur le royaume de la Nouvelle-Espagne" published in 1811. From the renowned library of Albert, Duc de Saxe-Teschen who married Archduchess Christina Maria of Austria, sister of Marie Antoinette, and so into the Habsburg imperial family. He noted as an art collector and founded the Albertina in Vienna, the largest and finest collection of old master prints and drawings in the world. and Text: Quérard VI, 548; Chadenat 5104; Sabin 58167; Atlas: Clark I:285; Graff 316; Hill 1285; Howes P13; Sabin 58168; cf Streeter Texas 1027; Wagner Spanish Southwest 165. Catalogued by Kate Hunter.