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Cheselden, William : Osteographia, or the Anatomy of the Bones

London: [Probably printed by William Boyer for Cheselden], 1733., 1733

Folio. [29] ff. Engraved frontispiece and title with camera obscure vignette, engraved dedication leaves, comparative plates and head and tail-pieces. Illustrated with a double set of human osteology plates: 56 lettered plates with verso text (the last plate having deer on verso). In addition there are 56 plates without letters or text (the last plate showing broken column on verso). Bound in modern half antique calf with a richly gilt spine with beautiful, bright marbled boards. William Cheselden (1688-1752) was a British general surgeon and anatomist. He was the leading surgeon in England in the first half of the 18th century. He is probably best known for his operations for bladder stone, though he as said to have been pre-eminent also in orthopedics and ophthalmology. Alexander Pope was among his famous patients. G-M: This splendidly designed and illustrated work contained the full and accurate descriptions of all the human bones, as wall as many animals. Cheselden is the first person to have used the camera obscura to gain precision in his illustrations, and the vignette on the title page shows him using the instrument. The engravings are beautifully executed by Van der Gucht. . . . This outstanding book has been reviewed as the most magnificent work of its kind now extant (Bulletin Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2000, Vol 82, No2). According to Russell, this is "The most magnificent atlas of osteological plates that has ever been produced. . ." This edition in 300 copies for the English market and 100 for the Continental was a truly magnificent, costly production. Primarily engraved by Gerard van der Gucht with ornamental pieces by Jacob Shinevoet. The book was a financial loss for Cheselden and many of the original sets were broken up so that few of the complete first printing with two sets of engravings survived. There is some light staining which affects the outer margin of 4 or 5 plates in the first section and 1 or 2 at the end. There is a light amount of soiling and browning, but overall a fine copy and rare thus.. Book Condition: Fine. Binding: Hardcover

1st Edition

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