BURGSDORF (Friedrich August Ludwig von). - Lot 63

BURGSDORF (Friedrich August Ludwig von). Nouveau manuel forestier, à l'usage des agens forestiers de tous grades, des Arpenteurs, des Gardes des Bois Impériaux et Communaux, des Préposés de la Marine pour la recherche des Bois propres aux Constructions Navales; des Propriétaires et des Marchands de Bois, et de tous ceux qui occupent de la Culture du Bois et de son Emploi dans les Arts économiques. Paris: Arthus-Bertrand, 1808. - 2 volumes in-8, 203 x 131: lij, 445 pp. pp. 449-460, 2 tables; (2 ff.), 579 pp. 29 plates, 3 tables. Green calf, framed with a wide gilt palmettes roulette between two gilt double fillets, and gilt imperial arms in the center of the boards, smooth spine decorated, gilt head, untrimmed (modern imitation binding). First edition of the French translation by agronomist Jacques-Joseph Baudrillart of the fourth German edition, adapted to the French administrative system and published under the auspices of Joseph-Alexandre Bergon, Director General of Forests. This treatise was written by Frédéric Auguste Louis de Burgsdorf (1747-1802), Grand Master of the Prussian Forests, public professor of forest science and member of the Berlin Academy of Sciences. Bergon's aim in commissioning this translation was "to introduce German forest science into the French approach to the management of its forest area" (Daniel Perron, La Forêt française: Une histoire politique, 2021). The first volume begins with an introduction on the "Necessity of demanding fundamental knowledge from those who are to hold forestry jobs", followed by two sections: "Overview of physics in general" and "Natural history of forests". The second volume covers "Mathematical knowledge required in forestry, and its application in practice" (geometry, mechanics, maritime construction, civil construction, etc.), as well as forest maintenance and improvement, with chapters on hunting, fishing and forest crimes. The edition includes 5 out-of-text tables, including one in large eagle format listing forest trees and shrubs, and 29 plates. A very fine copy in a pastiche binding, in imitation of an imperial binding, produced by Marc Ollivier. A few scattered brown spots. Provenance: Dupeyroux, with autograph signatures.