[GIROD-CHANTRANS (Justin)]. Essai sur la destination de l'ho - Lot 308

[GIROD-CHANTRANS (Justin)]. Essai sur la destination de l'homme. Verrieres, en Suisse [i.e. Besançon ?] , Jérémie Vuitel, 1786. In-8°, xv, [1], 181, [3] pp. marbled fawn basane, 5-rib spine with fleurons, t. p. in blond morocco, gilt roulette on the edges, red edges (Binding of the period). Very rare first edition. Justin Girod-Chantrans, born and died in Besançon (1750-1841), had a great influence on Charles Nodier, to whom he taught mathematics and natural sciences. The latter wrote to Charles Weiss in November 1827: "I passionately desire the Essai sur la destination de l'homme, and Les Pensées sur les quatre âges de la vie, by M. de Chantrans. He would perhaps yield them to your prayers" (Jacques-Remi Dahan, Visages de Charles Nodier). Barbier, Anonymes, 5609 [who reports it without date]: "Printed in a small number of copies". Attached: [PLUCHE (Noël-Antoine)]. Le Spectacle de la nature, ou Entretiens sur les particularités de l'histoire naturelle, qui ont paru les plus propres à rendre les Jeunes-Gens curieux, à leur former l'esprit. Seconde partie, contenant ce qui regarde les dehors l'intérieur de la Terre. Tome second [only]. In-12. Contemporary marbled tan basane. Frontispiece and 35/36 folding plates of botany. The plate on p. 36, the "Faux accacia", is lacking. Some defects in the margins of the plates, binding rubbed.