A superb set of Buffon’s Histoire naturelle, in 80 volumes, with 800 contemporary hand-coloured engraved plates.

Histoire naturelle de Buffon, classée par ordres, genres et espèces, d’après le systeme de Linné; avec les caractères génériques et la nomenclature Linnéenne. In 12°, 135 x 83 mm. / 5.12 x 3.15 inch.

Complete set of Buffon’s celebrated natural history in a finely preserved contemporary edition. 80 volumes, Paris, Crapelet and Deterville, 1802–1803, small 8vo (c. 14 cm).

Beautifully bound in uniform bindings and illustrated with approximately 800 engraved plates with fine contemporary hand-colouring. The set comprises: 26 volumes of Histoire naturelle (vols. 1–26); 5 volumes Minéraux (27–31); 10 volumes Poissons (32–41); 4 volumes Reptiles (42–45); 10 volumes Insectes (46–55); 2 volumes Crustacés (56–57); 5 volumes Coquilles (58–62); 3 volumes Vers (63–65); and 15 volumes Végétaux (66–80).

An unusually fresh and visually striking copy of this compact Paris edition of Buffon’s complete natural history, notable for the bright contemporary colouring of the plates and the attractive uniform bindings. Complete sets in such condition, with uniformly coloured plates, are scarce on the market. References: Brunet, I, 1378; Nissen ZBI.