D'ORBIGNY, Charles Dessalines (1802-1857) - Dictionnaire universel d'histoire naturelle. Paris: Renard, Martinet, 1849.   Fascinating natural history dictionary composed under the guidance of the French botanist Charles d'Orbigny, complete with 3 atlas volumes which include 285 beautifully hand-coloured plates depicting mammals, birds, fish, molluscs and plants. D'Orbigny's objective was to provide a work of synthesis and consultation. The greatest naturalists of the time contributed to the dictionary entries, including Alphonse Milne Edwards (1835-1900), Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1805-1861) and Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859).   3 atlas volumes and 13 text volumes, 8vo (230 x 145mm). 285 (of 288) hand-coloured plates (restorations on the verso of the final text leaf in the first atlas volume, in the second atlas volume torn frontispiece completed with a facsimile, some botanical plates detached, a few plates slightly cropped, some foxing). Contemporary red percalline with calf spines, gilt decorations and title on spines, marbled endpapers (rubbing). Provenance: Auguste Pelecier avocat (private bookstamp on title). (16)

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