SOLD : E, F

My photos do not do these hand-colored bookplate woodcut engravings justice--they are subtle but quite stunning I think, with the interplay of the engraving and the coloration making them feel both unusual and really rather exquisite. They come from a scarce 1808-10 work "Conchyliogie systématique et classification méthodique des coquilles," by the French naturalist Pierre Denys de Montfort (1766-1820) with the plates drawn and engraved by the author himself. I found online one (uncolored but very precious) copy of this work, which included two volumes, and which aired to  ease ''the study of shells and their arrangement in the cabinet." Detailed photos here do the best job of giving a sense, but I guarantee they are more nuanced and more special in person.

Dimensions: 8 13/16" x 5 3/4" ea.  Sold individually - PRICE IS PER ENGRAVING. Please select how many you wish to purchase then note the letters of the prints you want in the notes field at checkout.  Overall very good condition, with scattered light spotting and uneven right edges from where they were at some point removed from their binding.