METHODE POUR ETUDIER LA GEOGRAPHIE, by Lenglet Du Fresnoy - 1736

$1,200.00

Methode Pour Etudier La Geographie (5 volumes)

Ou l'on donne une Description exacte de l'Univers, formée sur les observations de l'Académie Royale des Sciences. Avec un Discours préliminaire sur l'étude de cette Science, & un Catalogue des Cartes, Geographiques, des Relations, Voyages & Descriptions les plus necessaires pour la Geographie.

by Lenglet Dufresnoy

Paris: Rollin, De Bure, 1736.

Overall in VERY GOOD- condition.

Beautiful leather binding with blind tooling around the edges of covers, as well as on the actual edges of the boards!
Spines feature has 5 raised bands interspersed with an elaborate gilt design, gilt volume numbers on black and gilt title on red.
Original ribbon markers are intact in all 5 volumes.
Text blocks are smooth cut with red ink
Interiors are notably light with clear text, and expected minor scattered foxing and signs of age.
Binding feels strong and tight on all copies. Possibly was professionally glued at spine a long time ago. (Which leads one to wonder if the pastedowns were also replaced.) Hinges exhibit minor cracking, but nothing significant.
Colorful pastedowns are aged and worn, yet generally in nice condition. Front pastedowns each have a small square tape with writing, possibly library notations. Ffeps have small pen notation, and expected signs of age.
Covers have notable shelf and edge wear. Vol 2 has a 1-inch scrape.
Spines have scuffs on raised bands and spine ends. Vol 2 has chips on spine ends. Gilt is mostly bright with some rubbing, mostly on raised bands.
Interiors have aged well, but have some underlining as well as marginalia in volumes 1-4. Volumes 3 and 5 have water damage to the bottom margin that does not effect the text
CR20140909

English translation of French title via Google translate: "Method to study Geography. Or we give an exact description of the Universe, formed on the observations of the Royal Academy of Sciences. With a preliminary discourse on the study of this science, and a catalogue of maps, geographic, relationships, travel & descriptions most necessary for Geography."

This is a very early edition of this geography series by the prolific writer Abbot Nicolas Lenglet Du Fresnoy (1674-1755), French historian, geographer, philosopher, translator and more. Some of his later works were not as well-received by contemporaries, as he was known for his snark and for his open criticism of peers and even the government.

This very scarce five volume set is a handsome example of 18th century binding, in full leather with many fine details of artisan printing and binding. It appears to be as originally published, and very well-maintained. There are 15 foldout maps, with one map in vol 1 showing a tear at the fold. Maps include those of North America, South America, Asia, British Islands, and more. There is an engraving before the main body of text in volume 1, and many charts throughout. 4.25 X 6.75 inches.