Traité de Géognosie, ou exposé des connaissances actuelles sur la constitution physique et minérale du globe terrestre. [First edition].

Descripción

Strasbourg and Paris, octavo, two volumes: [iv], lxii, 496 p.; [iv], 665 p., plus folding table and two folding engraved plates, one hand-colored. ***CONTENT: Jean-Francois d'Aubuissons de Voisins (1769-1841) was a noted French geologist and mining engineer. He was a student of Abraham Gottlob Werner, the celebrated Freiberg professor and champion of the Neptunist theory that all rocks formed from crystallized minerals in the early oceans. The title of this work translates to: "Treatise of geognosy or presentation of current knowledge on the physical and mineral constitution of the terrestrial globe." Although largely following Werner's ideology, in this book the author acknowledged the volcanic origin of basalt, and advocated that Tertiary formations be inserted between Secondary deposits and much younger diluvial gravels and clays. This treatise is regarded as the "first competent treatment of general geology published in French" (DSB). It won widespread praise for its organization and clarity of expression. ***CONDITION: The volumes are complete, in near VG condition, and bound in contemporary or original marbled-paper-covered boards. Large black morocco gilt title labels on the spines. The covers are clean and sound, but the backstrips show considerable wear and ghosts of removed paper labels. Joints and hinges very tender or fully split; the bindings, however, are very firm. The text pages are typically Fine: fresh, clean, crisp and bright; no foxing or serious stains. The two plates and table are likewise well preserved. Evidence of previous ownership includes a bookplate "J. Young Scammon" on the front pastedowns and an accession stamp on the first endpapers. Scammon (1812-1890) was an early Chicago settler, arriving in 1835; he became prominent as a lawyer, banker, and newspaper publisher. This is a useful, internally handsome set of a scarce, important monograph. BMNH 70. Ward and Carozzi 88. International shipping will be extra, but only at my cost. N° de ref. del artículo OG5506

Contactar al vendedor

Denunciar este artículo

Detalles bibliográficos