Peter Bichsel   Fine Books

Targioni Tozetti (Tozzetti), Jean (i.e. Giovanni). Voyage minéralogique, philosophique, et historique en Toscane. 2 vols.

2 leaves, 414 pp., 1 blank leaf; 2 leaves, 503 pp. Gr.-8vo. Contemp. half calf. Spine gilt with 2 labels. – Paris, Lavilette, 1792.

First French edition of one of Targioni Tozzeti’s accounts of his journeys to Tuscany. The complete accounts of his travels to Tuscany were first published in Florence in six volumes in 1751. The Italian naturalist Targioni Tozzetti (1712-1783) was the first to indentify the elephant bones, found in the valley of the Arno, as prehistoric fossiles, while his contemporaries were still interpreting them as the remains of Hannibal’s pack animals. As a medical doctor Targioni Tozzetti was introducing in his country the smallpox vaccinating. He also promoted the correction of the river Arno to dry out its marshs. – Brunet V, 904f. – Joints craqcking in parts. Edges rubbed. Some browning or foxing in parts. – Best.-Nr. 27215