Paul Charles Gabriel Charpentier - Les Microbes - 1909

P.-G. Charpentier — Les Microbes — Vuibert & Nony, Paris, 1909 — Beautiful illustrated binding

Very beautiful copy of Les Microbes by P.-G. Charpentier, published in Paris by Vuibert & Nony in 1909.

An important popular science work devoted to microbiology at the beginning of the 20th century, at a time still very close to Louis Pasteur's major discoveries.

The work notably covers microbial science, the morphology and multiplication of microbes, their presence in water, air, and soil, as well as pathogenic bacteria and protozoa in the wake of Louis Pasteur's research.

Numerous scientific illustrations within the text as well as several plates, including an interesting color plate of microscopic preparations showing different microorganisms.

Particularly fine publisher’s green percaline binding, very richly decorated. The front cover depicts a microscope and laboratory equipment, with Pasteur’s portrait in a medallion and the title in gold. The spine is also entirely illustrated with scientific motifs. Gilt edges.

The title page also features a portrait of Pasteur, and the work ends with a commemorative composition dedicated to him.

352 pages and over 250 figures, followed by the table of contents.

Very good overall condition for a work of more than 115 years. Solid and especially decorative binding, the gilding still very present. Some signs of use and small time marks visible on the binding and pages, in keeping with the age of the volume.

An especially appealing copy, as interesting for its content as for its aesthetics, ideal for a collection devoted to the history of science, medicine, microbiology, Pasteur, or old scientific instruments.