THÉVENOT (Melchisédech).L'Art de nager, avec des avis pour s - Lot 46

THÉVENOT (Melchisédech).L'Art de nager, avec des avis pour se baigner utilement, Précédée d'une Dissertation, où l'on développe la science des Anciens dans l'Art de nager, l'importance de cet exercice & l'utilité du bain, soit en santé, soit en maladie. Paris : Lamy, 1782. -2 parts in one volume in-8, 192 x 122: (2 ff.), 363 pp., (1 f.), 22 plates; frontispiece, 12 pp. Fourth edition of this work attributed to the orientalist Melchisédech Thévenot (1620-1692), illustrated with 22 plates engraved in intaglio representing the different ways of swimming described in the work. It is based on the 1781 edition, with the addition of two leaves containing the "Sommaire Des Chapitres... avec l'indication des planches qui y correspondent". A copy in in-8 format, complete with the supplement by journalist and teacher Charles Leroux, entitled: Supplément à la IVeme édition de L'Art de nager, avec des avis pour se baigner utilement. Contenant le Plan d'une École publique de Natation, la Description de divers nouveaux scaphandres, & de différents pantalons impénétrables à l'eau, tant pour passer une rivière, sans mouiller ses vêtements, que pour sauver même dans l'hiver ceux qui seroient en danger de se noyer. Also published by Lamy in 1782, this supplement is here in its original edition. It is illustrated with a frontispiece showing the "Plan d'une École de Natation projetée". The engravings are quite pale. Some have been engraved on bluish paper. Enriched copy of this work bound at the head: - DUTENS (Louis)]. Correspondance interceptée. London, 1789. - In-8, iv, 156 pp. Second edition, the first in-8, of this work by the poet and philosopher Louis Dutens (1730-1812), reporting in particular on his travels. It is in these pages (letters V and VI) that the bold hypothesis appears for the first time that the mysterious prisoner in the iron mask was none other than the minister of the Duke of Mantua. A very fine copy from the library of Charles-Gilbert, vicomte Morel de Vindé (1759-1842), magistrate, agronomist, writer and politician. His coat of arms appears at the bottom of the spine, with the Latin motto "Nescrit labi virtus". Antique label from a private library affixed to the top of the spine.