David Cornélius De Courcelles - Icônes Musculorum Capitis - 1743

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

Unique and rare edition from 1743

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 folding 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 block:
Binding: Presented in its early simple cardboard boards binding (plain cardboard cover). The binding is sound though modest, attesting to the book’s original state (some wear marks on part of the binding,)
TO BE VERIFIED
This type of binding has a very precise and sought-after name in bibliophily: it is an early “cartonnage d’attente” (waiting binding). In the 18th century, many books were sold thus, bound with a simple cardboard cover, allowing the buyer to have it taken to a binder to have a bespoke leather or parchment binding with their heraldry. Finding a book that remains in this “as printed” state is a real asset for collectors.

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

EX LIBRIS
Ex-libris heraldic bearing the Latin inscription “Ex Lib. Henr. PETIT Equitis & Doct. Med. Suessionaei,” indicating that it belonged to Henri Petit, squire and Doctor of Medicine from Soissons

Coats of arms: A shield with a chevron accompanied by heraldic charges (likely crescents and a swan), topped with 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 flaw is visible in the first photo but does not affect the readability of the text or the quality of the plates.
Pages 11 and 25 creased at the corner
Page 7 a very small hole
On the first pages some foxing spots
The lower endband (bottom of the spine) shows a major tear.
The upper endband (visible on the second image) suffers the same type of wear, with a piece entirely detached at the corner.
Some wear marks on the cover
Thank you
Please look closely at the photos before bidding
A very beautiful collectible copy