David Cornélius De Courcelles - Icônes Musculorum Capitis - 1743

Announcement title: David Cornelis de Courcelles – Icones Musculorum Capitis – 1743 –

Unique and rare 1743 edition

Original complete edition with its 8 folding plates Description: A rare and sought-after anatomical medicine work of the 18th century, written in Latin with explanations in Dutch. Author: David Cornelis de Courcelles (Doctor of Medicine)
Full title: Icones musculorum capitis, utpote faciei, aurium, oculorum, linguae, pharyngis, ossis hyoidis, colli, ut et eorum, qui capiti adnectuntur; cum expositione papillarum cutanearum icone singulari. Met eene Nederduitsche Verklaring over de selve. Edition: Original edition, published in Leyden (Lugduni Batavorum), Ex typographia Dammeana, 1743 (MDCCXLIII)

State of the illustrations (Very good): The major asset of this copy is that it is perfectly complete with its 8 large folding anatomical plates, accurately depicting the muscles of the head, face, and neck. The plates are well preserved and clear. Condition of binding and overall workmanship: Binding: Presented in its period slipcase binding (simple cardboard cover). The binding is sound though modest, bearing witness to the original state of the work (some signs of wear on part of the binding,)
TO BE VERIFIED
This type of binding has a very precise and sought-after name in bibliophilia: it is an epoch slipcase binding. In the 18th century, many books were sold this way, as sewn volumes under a simple, rough cardboard cover. This allowed the buyer to have it sent to his binder to have a leather or parchment binding made to his arms. Finding a book left in its pristine, “as printed” state is a genuine asset for collectors.

The paper is generally clean, with a fine impression of the period type.

EX LIBRIS
Heraldic ex-libris bearing the Latin inscription « Ex Lib. Henr. PETIT Equitis & Doct. Med. Suessionaei », indicating it belonged to Henri Petit, esquire and Doctor of Medicine of Soissons

Coats of arms: A chevron shield with heraldic elements (likely crescents and a swan), topped with a helmet in profile and supported by two swans as supporters.

83 numbered pages
102 pages in total

Defect to note: Presence of a modern blue ballpoint pen inscription in the lower margin of the title page ("Kalman Armandine, 11 Portel, Aude"). This aesthetic defect is visible in the first photo but does not affect readability or plate quality.

Pages 11 and 25 with corner tears
Page 7 with a tiny hole
A few foxing spots on the first pages
The bottom spine (lower part of the back) shows a major tear.
The top spine (visible on the second image) suffers the same type of wear, with a piece entirely detached at the corner.
Some signs of wear on the cover
Thank you
Please inspect the photos carefully before bidding
A very beautiful collectable copy