HEUZE (G.). Honour bonuses, specialty medals and... Lot 44

HEUZE (G.). Honour bonuses, specialty medals and farm-school prizes awarded in regional competitions in 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869 & 1870. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1869-1874. 5 vol. in-4, demi chagrin rouge, richly ornamented spines (De Haas). The important illustration consists of 5 frontispieces, 5 general maps of France, 2 of which are in colour, 105 off-text plans (23 in black on single page, 36 in colour on double page and 46 in black on double page), a large folding map of the irrigation canals, 41 off-text or full-page plates, 1 of which is in colour, 4 double plates, a colour map on single page, as well as 736 in-text figures. A beautiful and rare set which constitutes a remarkable documentation on the state of French agriculture in the 19th century. Each volume includes an allegorical frontispiece and a map of the agricultural regions, then details the object of the awards received and the description, with plans, of all the prize-winning estates. Very interesting illustrated notes (12 per volume, each about 20 to 35 pp.) detail the production and cultivation techniques of the prize-winning departments. There are thus a total of 60 departmental records and a detailed description of 90 of the most technically advanced agricultural fields. Many passages concern the vine, detailing region by region the varieties grown and the pruning and winemaking techniques. Very nice copy.