‎[CAMPER, Petrus ; Jan van RYMSDYK, illustrators].-- SMELLIE, William (1697-1763).‎
‎Observations sur les Accouchemens, Traduites de l'Anglois de M. Smellie, par [P. de Lavache] de Perville. Tome III. Contenant les Planches relatives la Thorie & la Pratique de cet Art, ainsi qu'aux Observations, avec les Explications des Figures de chaque Planche [ vignet].‎

‎Paris, Veuve Delaguette, 1758. viii, 79, [i, blank] pp. 8vo (12,5 x 19,5 cm.). Contemporary marbled calf (corners slightly rubbed), spine with 5 raised bands, in compartments gilt tooled with floral motives, gilt lettered on red morocco label; marbled end-papers, edges red. With 39 very fine copper plates in sharp impressions, engraved by Grignion.‎

Reference : 2284

‎ A very good copy of the rare first French edition of Smellie's magnificent obstetrical atlas: "A sett (sic) of Anatomical Tables, with Explanations, and an Abridgment, of the Practice of Midwifery, with a view to illustrate a Treatise on the Subject, and Collection of Cases" (London, 1754). This fine work was published to illustrate Smellie's text (1752-1764), is absolutely COMPLETE in itself. Of the 39 plates, 26 are from the originals of Jan van Rymsdyk (ca. 1730-1790), 11 by Pieter Camper (1722-89), the two remaining, probably by Smellie. In this French edition the plates are in reduced format. Smellie is considered one of the greatest pioneers in scientific obstetrics, both Camper and Van Rymsdyk are amongst the greatest medical illustrators of the 18th century. Choulant-Frank, p. 75 ff.; Garrison & Morton, 6154; Thornton, "Jan van Rymsdyk, p. 10-21.‎