Lot n° 158
Estimation :
600 - 800
EUR
[Obstetrics]. LE BOURSIER DU COUDRAY (Angélique-Marguerite). - Lot 158
[Obstetrics]. LE BOURSIER DU COUDRAY (Angélique-Marguerite). A summary of the art of childbirth, in which are given the necessary precepts to put it into practice happily. A very useful work for young midwives A Saintes, chez P. Toussaints, 1769. In-8, X-184 p., [3] f. (privil.), pl., contemporary green morocco, spine with five ornamented bands, red morocco title and year-piece, ornamented boxes, head and tail boards decorated with a set of diagonally wavy fillets forming lozenges, with fleururettes and small dots, all gilt, gilt roulette on the edges and bands, lining and endpapers of lilac silk, gilt edges.
First illustrated edition, including a portrait of the author, and 26 colour plates, all engraved by J. Robert. One of the first works containing engravings printed in colour by the trichromatic process. The plates are not placed here in numerical order. Madame Le Boursier du Coudray (1712-1794), a midwife at the Hôtel-Dieu in Paris, was commissioned by Louis XV to teach obstetrics in the provinces, and this work is a sort of practical manual of her specialty. She taught her art to several thousand women, and had many maternity homes opened throughout France, so much so that modern historiography emphasizes her role in the evolution of demography in France in the 18th century.
A splendid tribute copy, most likely intended for the author. It bears on a piece of morocco placed on the upper flyleaf the gilt mention : " Dedicated to Madame Du Coudray brevetée du Roy ". Bookseller's note and 19th century bibliographic note on one endpaper.
Provenance: Paul Hirsch (bookplate); John Roland Abbey (bookplate).
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