LATREILLE (Pierre-André). - Lot 42

LATREILLE (Pierre-André). Histoire naturelle des salamandres de France, précédée d'un Tableau méthodique des autres reptiles indigènes. Paris: Villier, imprimerie de Crapelet, An VIII-1800 - In-8, 200x126: xlvij, 61 pp, (1 f.), 6 plates. Basane racinée, smooth spine decorated, speckled edges (period binding). Rare first edition dedicated to the naturalist Antoine-Jean Coquebert de Montbret, of this work by Pierre-André Latreille (1762-1833), one of the founders of entomology. This is the first book devoted entirely to the natural history of salamanders, offering a description and classification of these amphibians. The edition is illustrated with 6 plates reproducing several types of salamanders in color, engraved by Pierre Maleuvre after Charles-Eugène Duponchel, Jacques Barraband, Antoine-Jean Coquebert de Montbret and Nicolas Maréchal. Rubbing to headpieces and edges of boards, headpiece missing, crack to one spine, corners dull. Light staining at the top of the plates. Ink stain and slight tear in center of last plate.