Paris, Roret, 1840. Four parts in four. 8vo (21.0 x 12.9 cm - three text volumes) Large 8vo (24.6 x 15.5 cm -atlas). 1,674 pp. [I (1834) xxxv, 468; II (1837) 532 pp.; III (1840) ii, 605; Atlas (undated) 32 pp.]. Nine folded tables, 44 engraved plates (I-XLII, XIVbis, XXVbis) of which 36 are hand-coloured (some partly), and tissue guarded. Text in ontemporary uniform green morocco over marbled boards. Spines with gilt lines and title, marbled endpapers (text parts), slightly later blind grained half morocco over dark green boards. Speckled endpapers (atlas).

Rare hand-coloured edition of this classic work on crustaceans (and some other arthopod groups, e.g. Pycnogona). With plates 14bis and 25bis not quoted by Nissen, who apparently, was mislead by the text "Renfermant 42 planches gravées sur acier" on the atlas's title page. Armorial bookplate of the marquis Sinety "virtute nitet" on front paste-down of text part I. Name of former owner, the crustacean expert Jacques Forest, stamped in script, on half titles. Atlas uncut. The lower half of the atlas' back strip missing, joints reinforced. A few plates a bit spotted and a few with small, marginal wormholes far from the images, anatomie plate 14 with a crease and some toning. One top edge of spine a bit frayed; the text parts otherwise, in excellent condition. In all a good complete set, the text parts being attractively bound. Nissen ZBI, 2838.