ONE OF THE FIRST NATURAL HISTORY WORK ABOUT MOLLUSCS, SHELLS, OCTOPUSES, SQUIDS, NAUTILUSES, CONCHOLOGY, MARINE ANIMALS AND SEA MONSTERS. "Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particuliere des Mollusques" (Natural History, General and Particular of Molluscs) by Pierre Denys de MONTFORT (1766–1820). SIX (6) volumes, complete first edition (1802-1805), and beautifully illustrated with 72 detailed copper engravings by the best French illustrators of the time. Among the illustrated species there is also the famous Kraken (Colossal Octopus) mythological animal that was the nightmare of sailors of the time, and Scandinavian legends said it had a reputation for bringing down ships, as illustrated in the famous engraving of this rare edition. "Le Poulpe Colossal" it was drawned in 1801 by Pierre Dénys de Montfort and engraved by Étienne Claude Voysard, from the descriptions of French sailors reportedly attacked by such a creature off the coast of Angola in Africa. Other authors who collaborated and completed this first edition were Félix de Roissy (1771-1843) and Charles Sigisbert Sonnini (1751-1812). The work is the continuation and extension of "Histoire Naturelle" by Georges Louis Leclerc, comte de Buffon, (1707-1788). The paper is in good condition, the beautiful illustrations were drawn by Denys de MONTFORT and Jacques de Sève (c. 1742-1788); etchers include Hubert, Duhamel, and Berthault, among others. The antique full leather hardcovers are solid, clean and in good condition. Title: Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière des mollusques, animaux sans vertèbres et a sang blanc. Ouvrage faisant suite aux œuvres de Leclerc de Buffon, et partie du cours complet d'histoire naturelle rédigé par C. S. Sonnini, membre de plusieurs sociétés savantes...Par Dénys de Montfort (Natural, general and particular history of molluscs, animals without vertebrae and with white blood. Work following the works of Leclerc de Buffon, and part of the complete natural history course written by C. S. Sonnini, member of several learned societies...By Dénys de Montfort). Printed by L'Imprimerie de F. Dufart, Paris. An X-XIII (1802-1805). Description & Condition: in 8vo size, H 205 x W 135 mm or 8.1 by 5.3 inches. 6 volumes, each with title and year: 390 + 424 + 424 + 376 + 450 [1 sheet for errata] + 480 pages, + 72 numbered plates. French and latin text, pages and illustrations are clean, occasional light spotting and browning. Ancient binding of the period with double numbering on the spine, one for the work itself, and one for an overall numbering, as the work is the continuation of "Histoire Naturelle" by Georges Louis Leclerc, comte de Buffon. Each full leather hardcover with golden fillets on the boards and titles in gold lettering on the spine. Hardcovers with some traces of wear on the edges, corners and boards, but overall everything is solid, firm, clean and in good condition. Genuine and fine edition beautifully illustrated and bound. COMPLETE EDITION ON MARINE ANIMALS IN 6 VOLUMES. References: Nissen, C. Zoologische Buchillustration, 1081; Catalogue of the books, manuscripts, maps and drawings in the British Museum (Natural History), vol. 3, page 1340; Ellis, R. (1999). The Search for the Giant Squid. Penguin Books; Bernard Heuvelmans, Dans le sillage des monstres marins, le Kraken et le poulpe Colossal, Tome Second, Genève, éditions Famot, 1974, 533 p., Chapitre 8: Pierre Denys de Montfort, Malacologue maudit, pages 292-318. Author: Pierre Dénys de Montfort was a French naturalist (notably malacologist), born in Dunkirk on June 17, 1766 and died in Paris in 1820. He is known for having published his Systematic Conchliology, a work marking an important step in the taxonomy of univalve molluscs; as well as for investigating the stories about the Kraken and the "Colossal Octopus", premises for the description of the giant squid. Montfort argued that the Kraken-Octopus, was described by Norwegian sailors and American whalers as well as ancient writers like Pliny the Elder. Shipping: via UPS, DHL, National Postal Services, protected, INSURED and fully tracked package. Estimated time for Europe 3-5 working days. Shipping within one working day, you can combine shipping if you purchases several items from us, saving money and time.