LAFOSSE, Philippe Étienne (1738-1820)

Cours d'hippiatrique, ou traité complet de la médecine des chevaux

Paris: Edme, 1772. Folio. (19 3/4 x 13 1/8 inches). Engraved frontispiece by B.L. Prevost after Sullier, engraved portrait frontispiece by J. Baptiste Michel after Harguinier, engraved title vignette by and after Prevost, engraved arms of Charles-Eugene de Lorraine on dedication, 56 hand-coloured engraved plates by B. Michel Adam [femme Fessard], F.A. Aveline, C. Baquoy, Benard, Ch. Beulier, L. Bosse, Prevost and others after Harguinier, Lafosse, Saullier (19 folding), and 7 engraved headpieces by Delaunay, Hubert, Levilain, Lucas, Mlle Massard, Mesnil, Michel after Le Carpentier, type-ornament headpieces, woodcut head- and tailpieces and initials.

Contemporary calf, covers bordered with gilt double fillet, expertly rebacked to style, spine gilt retaining the original red morocco lettering piece, period marbled endpapers

Deluxe hand-coloured first edition of the best 18th century French work on equine medicine and the anatomy of the horse.

Cours d'hippiatrique is distinguished not only by Lafosse's anatomical skill and knowledge of equitation, gained through both study and practice of the subject, but also by the excellence of its execution: "Ce livre est un veritable monument eleve a l'Hippologie. Papier, impression, dessin, gravure, sont egalement signes" (Mennessier de la Lance). The vivid colouring of the anatomical plates elevates this hand coloured issue far beyond the regular black and white edition. "Ouvrage fort bien execute et qui a ete longtemps le meilleur que l'on eut sur cette science" (Brunet).

Brunet III, 765; Cohen-de Ricci col.587; Huth p.46; Mellon Books on Horses and Horsemanship 61; Mennessier de la Lance II, pp.20-21; Nissen ZBI 2360.

Item #30530

Price: $15,000.00