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 medical work from 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 een Nederduitsche Verklaring over de selve. Edition: Original edition, published in Leyden (Lugduni Batavorum), Ex typographia Dammeana, 1743 (MDCCXLIII)

Condition of the illustrations (Very good): The major asset of this copy is that it is perfectly complete with its 8 large fold-out anatomical plates, accurately depicting the muscles of the head, face, and neck. The plates are well preserved and clear.
Condition of the binding and the book body:
Binding: Presented in its period plain-card temporary binding (simple cardboard cover). The binding is sound albeit modest, reflecting the original state of the work (a few signs of wear on part of the binding).
A NOTE TO CHECK: This type of binding has a very precise and sought-after name in bibliophily: it is a period temporary binding. In the 18th century, many books were sold thus, stapled under a simple, rough cardboard cover. This allowed the buyer to have it rebound in leather or parchment with their arms by their own binder. Finding a book that remained “in its pristine state” as it left the printer is a real 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 figures (likely crescents and a swan), topped by a helmet in profile and supported by two swans as supporters.

83 pages numbered
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 the quality of the plates.
Pages 11 and 25 with tears at the page corner
Page 7 with a very small hole
On the first pages some foxing stains
The lower cap (bottom spine) shows a major tear.
The upper cap (visible in the second image) shows the same wear, with a piece completely detached at the corner.
Some signs of wear on the cover
Thank you
Please look carefully at the photos before bidding
A very beautiful collectible copy