Description

VAN HEURCK (Henri), Synopsis des diatomées de Belgique [et] Table alphabétique, Anvers, Chez l’Auteur, 1884-1885

2 volumes 4to including a volume of text of (8), 235, (1) pages, then 120 pages, and a volume of plate of (4) pages (out of 6, the title page is missing) and 141 plates numbered 1-132 (with 22bis, 53bis, 82bis, 83bis, 83ter, 95bis) and three plates for the supplement numbered A, B, C then (6) pages of table of genres; contemporary green and brown half-sheepskin (spine insolated and worn).

First French edition, rare. A much more common English edition was published in 1896.

Rare complete copy with the Table alphabétique dated 1884 which is often missing and interesting copy whose atlas volume bears the handwritten ex-libris, in pencil, of Maurice Hocquette (1902- 1984), professor of botany in Lilles (from 1929 as an assistant until 1969) and founder of the Société de botanique du Nord de la France. Hocquette annotated in pencil the first 22 plates of the Atlas and then plate 25 . He added two drawings of Amphora on a loose paper opposite plate I.

Van Heurck is one of the best microscopists of his time, famous for his botanical work, in particular on diatoms, but also for his pioneering work on X-rays, photomicrography and for inventing a model of microscope marketed by Watson in London. Finally, we owe him the publication of one of the best reference works on microscopes of the second half of the 19th century.

The original French edition of his study on diatoms is his rarest work.

Some tears and restorations to the Text pages of the volume of plates and on the edge of some plates. Foxing on the plates; the title page of the volume of text is missing, however a correct copy.