DUHAMEL DU MONCEAU (Henri-Louis). - Lot 31

DUHAMEL DU MONCEAU (Henri-Louis). De l'exploitation des bois, ou moyens de tirer un parti avantageux des coppis, demi-futaies et hautes-futaies, et d'en faire une juste Estimation: Avec la Description des Arts qui se pratiquent dans les Forêts. Paris: H. L. Guérin, L. F. Delatour, 1764. - 2 volumes in-4, 253x190: xvj, xlvij, 430 pp. 13 plates; (2 ff.), pp. vij-xiv, pp. (431)-708, 23 plates. Marbled calf, cold fillet framing the boards, ornate ribbed spine, red edges (period binding). First edition of this major work on forestry, forming the fourth part of Duhamel du Monceau's extensive Traité complet des Bois et des Forêts. It is divided into five books: Du Bois considéré physiquement; ou connoissances nécessaires à ceux qui s'veulent s'instruire sur la nature des Bois relativement à leur exploitation. - Coppices. - On the inspection of groves and their felling. - Exploitation of forest stands. - Exploitation of Quarried Woods. The edition is illustrated with a band at the head of the preface, designed and engraved by Benoît-Louis Prévost (1733?-1816?), and 36 folding plates. A good, well-preserved copy in contemporary binding. Some minor rubbing and spotting. Small wormholes and small split at the hinge of the first cover of the first volume.