CUVIER Georges et al. Le Règne animal, distribué d'après son organisation, pour servir de base à l'histoire naturelle des animaux, et d'introduction à l'anatomie comparée.
Paris, Fortin, Masson et Cie, 1836-1849.
In-4 (275 x 210 mm), 20 volumes - 10 of text and 10 of atlas. Red half morocco with corners, separated by gilt fillets, spine ribbed with gilt and red fillets, author, title, tomaison and volume name stamped in gold, gilt head (contemporary binding).
The famous ‘Disciple’ edition of Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, complete and accompanied by his superb natural history plates. This is the third, most sought-after and most complete edition of the Animal Kingdom. Its name comes from the fact that Georges Cuvier died in 1832 and that his work was completed by his disciples, who were already great specialists in their respective fields. These included Alcide d'Orbigny, Milne Edwards, Gérard Paul Deshayes, Louis Georges Duvernoy, Armand de Quatrefages, Jean-Victor Audouin and Antoine-Louis Dugès.
The plates (with the exception of the non-European peoples) are all gummed and enhanced with watercolour. Historically, our complete work appeared in 262 issues, which makes it very difficult to obtain plates that are as fresh as possible, without foxing or spotting. The work we are offering is extremely fresh, with marginal spotting on no more than twenty plates, which does not affect the illustrations.
Some rubbing to the corners of the books, the spines of some volumes are slightly sunned, volume 4 has a slight epidermure, volume 1 (text) contains a spotting throughout the text and several volumes of text are pitted. Overall, the 20 volumes are superb and the interior is very fresh and clean.
Nissen 213 ; Anker 111 ; Sitwell p.89
