Duchesne

Duchesne, Antoine-Nicolas - "Manuel de Botanique, contenant les Propriétés des Plantes utiles…" First (only one) edition. 1764. Duchesne was a remarkable man in many ways. From a scientific perspective he was a child prodigy. In 1764, while 16 years old, he published his first professional book: "Manuel de Botanique, contenant les Propriétés des Plantes utiles" This manual described the nutritional, medical, artistic, and ornamental uses of the plants cultivated around Paris, and also provided standardized common names. The work is particularly important for botanical systematists, because it contains the first publication of Bernard de Jussieu's "natural system" of plant classification, the only one that appeared during de Jussieu's lifetime (the next version was published by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789) Duchesne's father was Superintendent of the King's Buildings, giving his son access to the various royal gardens. Bernard de Jussieu, Sub-demonstrator of Plants at the Jardin du Roi (at Versailles), was his mentor, so that Duchesne grew up in a distinctly botanical environment, probably knowing as a teenager more first hand about the natural history of cultivated plants than most people acquire in a lifetime. Unfortunately, as a scientist Duchesne did not live up to his early potential. He continued to work and publish sporadically within the field of horticulture, but did nothing particularly distinguished. He inherited his father's post, but this was abolished after the French Revolution, so that he lost touch with the nobility. Title: Manuel de botanique, contenant les propriétés des plantes utiles pour la nourriture, d'usage en médecine, employées dans les arts, d'ornement pour les jardins, & que l'on trouve à la campagne aux environs de Paris. Author: Antoine-Nicolas Duchesne Publisher & Printers: Printed by Didot le Jeune (François-Ambroise Didot) and sold by C. J. Panckoucke in Paris. Date: M. D. CC. LXIV (1764). Original binding. Beautiful full speckled calfskin binding of the period. Beautifully decorated spine with red morocco leather label bearing the gold-tooled lettering, raised bands and the red edges. The title in black, with an engraved title vignette. Dimensions: 17 cm x 10,5 cm This work consists of 4 parts 361 pp (including Table, Catalog and Index) 2 pp between part 4 and catalog not numbered All pages in excellent condition and beautifully preserved Attention to the details photographs. Any defect not mentioned in the description but visible in the photos is considered as described and cannot give rise to any claim. Careful packaging with double protection box including gift wrapping. Tracked Shipping (UPS or DHL) NB. Buyers outside the European Union are responsible for any customs and VAT charges

Estimate:£460.67

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