Paris, de Langlois, 1819. Folio (36.0 x 27.4 cm). Four lose sheets, each finely engraved.

Drawn by Pancrace Bessa and Nicolas Huet, engraved by Coutant and printed by de Langlois, these four, nearly 200 years old plates, numbered 15, 16, 18, and 19 represent species of Helix, both "true" species of Helix (the edible escargots, including the famous Roman snail) as well as related genera and species that are similar. These plates form a part of a work that included both plates and text that was published between 1819 and 1851 by the Baron de Férussac and, later, by G. P. Deshayes. It is widely regarded as one of the best-illustrated shell books of the early to mid-19th century. Due to the long time it took to publish, it is a very rare work and almost never found in a complete state. Even a small section, such as this one, is rare. All plates with wide margins and in a good condition except for some slight spotting and soiling along the margins.