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Frederic Cuvier (1769-1832) & Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1772-1844)

Frederic Cuvier (1769-1832) & Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1772-1844)

Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes, avec les figures originales...

Paris: 1824-1842

lithographs with original hand-coloring

This rare publication of mammals was originally published in 72 parts (to be bound in seven volumes) under the auspices of the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle of Paris. The animals were drawn from life mainly at the zoo Jardin des Plantes in Paris. The majority of the descriptions were by Cuvier, with Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire editing the work and providing occasional articles (indicating by his initials at the end of each article). The two final parts were edited and seen through the press by Cuvier’s son.   These are among the most exquisitely rendered images of animals ever published. Cuvier has successfully brought each animal to life by his exceptional talent for detail without forgetting the characteristics that give them personality.