BERGMAN Torbern. MANUEL DU MINÉRALOGISTE, ou sciagraphie... Lot 11

BERGMAN Torbern. MANUEL DU MINÉRALOGISTE, ou sciagraphie du règne minéral, distribué according to chemical analysis. Updated by M. Ferber and translated and expanded with notes by M. Mongez le jeune. jeune. PARIS, CUCHET, 1784. One volume, in-8, LXXXVIII pp. 343 pp. full contemporary binding in speckled calf. spotted calf. Smooth spine cloisonné, fleuronné and gilt with red morocco title-piece, marbled edges marbled edges, gilt fillet on the edges. A fine copy. First edition of the translation. Complete with plate depicting flashlight for analysis. The text begins with a description of the "sciagraphie" method (literally "description of shadows", i.e., in architecture : representation of the interior or cross-section of a building, as we're interested in the interior of minerals, their chemical composition) based on the chemical composition of mineral bodies. Jean-André Mongez, born in Lyon on November 21, 1750 and died in Vanikoro, during La Pérouse's expedition in May 1788, was a scientist and mineralogist. mineralogist. His uncle, Abbé Rozier, associated him with his work. A rare and very important work.