SERRES, Olivier de. Theatre de l'agriculture et mesnage des - Lot 196

Lot n° 196
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Estimation :
1000 - 1500 EUR
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Result : 2 730EUR
SERRES, Olivier de. Theatre de l'agriculture et mesnage des - Lot 196
SERRES, Olivier de. Theatre de l'agriculture et mesnage des champs d'Olivier de Serres, Seigneur du Pradel. A Paris, par Jamet Metayer imprimeur ordinaire du Roy, 1600. Fort in-folio (33 x 21 cm), (7) ff. including engraved title and preface, 1004 pp., (9) ff. for index, 8 bands and 16 woodcut figures in-text, lettrines and culs-de-lampes. Contemporary tan basane, spine ribbed and decorated (binding very worn, top board and first 6 ff. unbound, scattered stains and foxing, title-frontispiece creased with small lack). Sought-after first edition of the very first treatise on agriculture. One of the most important texts in the history of agronomy and horticulture, dedicated to Henri IV, who made it one of his bedside books. Complete with handsome copper-engraved title-frontispiece in black: a porticoed temple bearing Henri IV on his throne, by "Mellari" (various spellings, cf. Thiebaud). This first edition is the finest of all (Thiébaud, 840). With 16 large black woodcut vignettes, mainly illustrating garden beds. Divided into eight "places", each inaugurated by a finely engraved band on each subject, it details the duty of the "mesnager", the plowing of grain lands to obtain wheat of all kinds, the cultivation of vines (detailing the quality of wines, famous places, techniques and care of viticulture or various types of beverages), sheep, hens, gardens (the longest and most detailed chapter), water and woods, ending with the use of food, the book's final chapter dealing with De la chasse et autres exercices honnestes du gentilhomme. There are numerous recipes, including a sort of treatise on jams. Only 3 entries in CCFr. In French in the text 79. Vicaire, 788. Tchemerzine, V, 817. Missing from the Fritsch collection. GARDENS. GASTRONOMY. HUNTING.
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