Traité général des pesches, et histoire des poissons qu'elles fournissent, tant pour la subsistance des hommes, que pour plusieurs autres usages qui ont rapport aux arts et au commerce.

2 parts in 1 (of 4) vol., large folio: [4]-84 pp.; 21 pl., [2]-67/192 pp.; 30 pl. (some browning and spotting (esp. in beginning & at the end), hole or tear in blank margin of both French titles and f. O1 underlaid).

Mod. half vellum (some spotting), marbled paper on covers, flat spine with red leather title label (sm. def.). Good copy with large margins.

First 2 parts of the first and only edition of this spectacular and important work on the French fishing industry, by the French naturalist and naval engineer H.L. Duhamel du Monceau (1700-1782). Our copy with complete 1st part and incomplete 2nd part: pp. 1-66 and pl. I-XX (of L) not present. The 1st part concerns fishing by fish hook, the 2nd part is on fishing with nets, both in fresh water and mainly at sea or on the shore. Superbly illustrated with 51 (21, 30) large full-page engr. numb. pl. showing all kinds of fish hooks and fishing nets and the apparel to make and repair them, different types of fishing boats, sorts of bait, various ways and tactics of fishing by angling or with nets at sea or on the shore, the contemp. costume of French fishermen, etc. Most pl. animated and with scenic backgrounds figuring boats, cities, villages, castles,... Plates signed i.a. Angelique & Son Moitte, Haussard, Ransonnette. This publication was a part of the famous "Descriptions des Arts et Métiers" (1761-1782), published by the French Académie royale des sciences. "One of the finest works on fishing and the fisheries in any language" (Westwood & Satchell, p. 82).
Ref. Brunet II:871. - Graesse II:444. - Nissen (ZBI) 1186. - Westwood & Satchell 82. - Thiébaud 315. - Not in Schwerdt, Souhart.