Conchology manual by J.C. Chenu in 2 complete volumes from 1859 with shell plates

Manual of conchology by Doctor Jean-Charles Chenu in 2 complete volumes with their plates, edition of 1859 and 1862
Rare and complete set which are not isolated volumes from the natural history of Doctor Chenu but very well documented works in their own right and which are a reference in conchology
Masson edition of 1859 and 1862
2 volumes with at the end of volume 2 a table with a blank column which was intended for the collector to put his remarks or collection numbers there
Numerous plates and illustrations in the text and outside the text in black and white and some in color
Interior in very good condition
Binding with slight traces of use
Leather back with raised bands and gold letters
Slightly dulled corners
Essential works for any shell collector or natural science enthusiast
d: 27.2 x 18 cm
volume 1: 508 pages
volume 2: 327 pages
Biography :
Jean-Charles Chenu is a French doctor and naturalist, born August 30, 1808 in Metz and died November 12, 1879 at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris.
He began his medical studies in Metz, then in Strasbourg before finishing them in Paris in 1825. Chenu then embarked on a military career in the health services. Chenu then obtained his doctor's degree in Strasbourg in 1833. He was in the south of France when a cholera epidemic broke out. He then treats the prefect of Aude, Gabriel Delessert, and becomes friends with him.
It was thanks to Benjamin Delessert that he obtained the position of sub-inspector of mineral waters in Passy. Chenu will then publish several studies on the medical benefit of minero-thermal sources. Delessert also entrusted him with the conservation of his natural history collection, particularly rich in shells. From 1842 to 1854, he published the Conchological Illustrations or Description and Figures of all known living and fossil shells, classified according to the Lamarck system, etc. This work will be followed by the Elementary Lessons of Natural History, including an overview of all zoology and a Treatise on conchology in 1846.
In 1850 Chenu undertook the publication of a very important work of natural history entitled Encyclopedia of Natural History or Complete Treatise of this Science based on the works of the most eminent naturalists. Thirty-one volumes will be published, volumes in which many naturalists of his time will participate. They will be followed by the Alphabetical Tables of the common and scientific names of all the animals described and figured in this encyclopedia, drawn up by Desmarests in nine volumes.
In 1855, Chenu was promoted to senior medical officer 1st class and participated in the French expedition to Crimea. In 1859 and 1862, he published an important treatise on molluscs entitled Manuel de conchliologie et de paleontologie conchyliologie. From 1862 to 1863, he wrote the two volumes of his Elementary Lessons on the Natural History of Birds. He retired in 1868 with the rank of Senior Medical Officer, First Class.

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