Charles Moette Sold at Auction Prices

THÉVENOT, Melchisédech L'art de nager, avec des av

THÉVENOT, Melchisédech L'art de nager, avec des avis pour se baigner utilement [...] Ouvrage utile à tout le monde, & destiné particulièrement à l'éducation des jeunes militaires du Corps royal de la marine. Orné de XII figures [...]. Quatrieme edition [...]. Paris Lamy 1782 12mo: [6]-363-[1]-12 pp. (marg. lack of paper just touching the text on f. o5). Contemp. red morocco, triple gilt rule on covers, gilt orn. spine on 5 raised bands, green leather label, gilt sides, a.e.g. Good copy. 4th edition (1st 1696), enlarged by Jean-Charles Poncelin de La Roche-Tilhac (1748-1828) and 1st complete ed. of the 1st French treatise on swimming by Thévenot (1620-1692), scientist, orientalist and compiler of travel narratives, cartographer, inventor (of the spirit level), diplomat and royal librarian to King Louis XIV. Last chapter by Antoine Timoni titled "Dissertation sur les bains des Orientaux". Complete with the supplement by Le Roux with separate titlepage and frontisp. "Plan d'une école publique de natation projetée". Copy on good laid paper complete with 22 engraved plates by Moette representing different styles of swimming. The book was widely read during the 18th c. Ref. Brunet V-813. - Bn-Opale plus. - COPAC. - Not in Blake.