Catalogue des Livres de la Bibliotheque de feu François-César Le Tellier, Marquis de Courtanvaux, Capitaine-Colonel des Cent-Suisses, dont la Vente se fera...le Lundi quatre Mars, et jours suivans..

Woodcut arms on title. xvi, 352 pp. 8vo, attractive antique half-calf & boards. Paris: Nyon, 1782. This scarce sale catalogue describes the notable collection of voyages formed by Courtanvaux; it was one of the largest collections on the subject ever formed and practically amounts to a bibliography of the subject. The sections on natural history and the sciences are also very rich. Courtanvaux (1718-81), a member of the Académie des Sciences, performed research in chemistry, geography, natural history, physics, and mechanics. A man of considerable wealth, he sponsored the voyage made in 1767 by Pingré and Messier during which Pierre Le Roy's marine chronometers were tested. Fine copy. 3599 lots and priced throughout in a contemporary hand. With the half-title but lacking the author/subject index of 81 pages at end. ❧ Grolier Club, Printed Catalogues of French Book Auctions...1643-1830, 295. Peignot, p. 92-"Ce catalogue est précieux par la collection de voyages qui s'y trouve.". (Inventory #: 2154)