François-Nicolas MARTINET (France, 1731-1800)... Lot 61

François-Nicolas MARTINET (France, 1731-1800) & Georges-Louis Leclerc de BUFFON (Montbard, 1707 - Paris, 1788 ). BUFFON, Histoire naturelle des oiseaux. Paris, Imprimerie Royale. 1771-1786. Copy on large paper. Nine volumes (out of ten: volume X is missing) in seven large-folio volumes (450 x 332 mm). Full tawny calf. Title and tomaison parts of cherry calf. Dominating paper endpapers. Time binding. Free of freckles. MARTINET: Collection of Illuminated Plates. (Panckoucke, 1765-1784). Copy on large paper. Five volumes large folio (450 x 332 mm). Full fawn calf. Title and tomaison pieces of cherry calf) Dominoté paper endpapers. Time binding. (Two rubbed caps). Complete with one thousand and eight plates drawn and engraved on copper by François-Nicolas Martinet, finely illuminated with gouache and watercolour brushes, protected by snakes, and surrounded by a wash frame. The thirty-five plates of butterflies, beetles, reptiles, corals, etc., which are often missing, are present and placed in the order of numbering. Plates of an exceptional quality of colours and freshness... Provenance: Breton library. Certificate of free circulation. Rare luxury copy on large paper with one thousand and eight plates illuminated with gouache and watercolor. A monument of ornithological iconography by Martinet and Buffon. Prolongation by the expert Paul Veyssière on rouillac.com. References : - "This magnificent iconography (first published without the text), [is] the most important that has ever appeared.... It] is really the basis of ornithological iconography, the starting point of a new era for this branch which was to find its full blossoming a few chandeliers later, at the very beginning of the 19th century. At present, no bird book is more sought after, either by the bibliophile or the ornithologist, and its documentary interest is indisputable. Alas, its decorative interest has been lost, and although its separate plates can be found at all the eng