Pratique de l’art de faire éclorre et d’élever en toute saison des oiseaux domestiques de toutes especes, soit par le moyen de la chaleur du fumier, soit par le moyen de celle du feu ordinaire.
Paris: de l’Imprimerie Royale, 1751. Third edition. 12mo, contemporary marbled calf, gilt stamped spine, red morocco label, gilt lettering, xii, 144 pages. 4 folding plates, one engraved headpiece. Front hinge cracked but sound; some wear and darkening to the spine, with a little chipping at the head; a good copy. Item #18784
First published in 1749 and then in a second edition in 1751, this third edition might well marks the first “handy” guide given its size and pagination. A detailed and practical guide to hatching and raising domestic birds, including directions on building ovens to heat incubators, from the entomologist and practical scientist Réaumur; one plate, appropriately enough, includes a view of a Réaumur thermometer giving the safe range for the artificial incubation of eggs With a contemporary clipped imprint or advertisement for M. R. Huzard, publisher and bookseller on rue de l’Éperon, mounted to the verso of the front blank (opposite the title), presumably a distributor of this title. Small flaw to one leaf with loss to a few letters but no loss of sense; small tear from one margin, not touching text.
Price: $250.00