Duhamel du Monceau - Traité Général des Peches - 1772

Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau (1700-1782)

General Treatise on Fisheries

Paris: Saillant & Nyon, Desaint, 1769-1782.

4 volumes, (164 engraved plates by C. Haussard, Berthault, A. Moitte, P.L. Cor, N. Ransonette and others) [The complete work has 250] With half-titles.

1. Second part: 180 pp. + 27 engraved plates. Seconde partie/Second section: from 181 to 314 pp. + 18 engraved plates. Complete
2. Second Part/Second Section: from 315 to 488 pp. + 22 engraved plates (without XIX). Seconde partie/Suite de la troisieme section: from 489 to 579 + 9 engraved plates.
3. Suite de la Seconde Partie/Tome Troisieme: 82 pp. + 5 engraved plates. Suite de la Seconde Partie/Tome Troisieme: from 83 to 98 pp. + 5 engraved plates + from 99 to 116 pp. + 6 engraved plates + 127 to 130 + 5 engraved plates. Suite de la seconde partie/Tome III: from 131 to 164 pp. + 5 engraved plates + from 165 to 217 pp. + 9 engraved plates.
4. Suite de la Seconde Partie/Tome Troisieme: from 219 to 251 pp. + 7 engraved plates + 253 to 336 pp. + 26 engraved plates + Tome Quatrième: 73 pp. + 15 engraved plates.

Part of the first edition of 'one of the finest works on fishing and the fisheries in any language' (Satchell & Westwood). Duhamel du Monceau was known for his interests in agronomy, chemistry, botany and shipping. This work formed part of the famous Description des Arts et Métiers, but was also available separately. The plates depict numerous species of fish, fishermen at sea, whaling and seal hunting, scenes of fishing tackle and fishing industry, smoking and pickling. Satchell & Westwood p. 82; Nissen ZBI 1186.

Very occasional light marginal spotting, but an exceptionally clean copy.