Paris, Strasbourg, Levrault, 1825-1827. Two parts in two [text and atlas]. 8vo (23.1 x 14.5 cm). Texte (1825): title page, viii, 664 pp.; two large, folded tables; Planches (1827) title page, 16 pp. (numbered consecutively, 649-664; i.e., double), 109 engraved, colour-printed plates, finished by hand, by Prêtre under the direction of Turpin. Original, near-uniform original printed boards.

Ducrotay de Blainville coined the word malacologie (malacology) in this work. It also contains descriptions and illustrations of many new taxa. The fine illustrations are by one of the best natural history artists of the period, Jean Gabriel Prêtre (1768-1849). The engravings are in the rare colour-printed edition. The new additions and corrections to the text part, which are of taxonomical importance, are present twice: in the rear of the text part, and in front of the plate part. The original printed boards (pink for the text volume, green for the atlas) are rarely present. Perhaps the green boards indicate a coloured copy – all plain copies we have seen have pink covers. The general plates (1-4) are not coloured, as always. Plate numbering is erratic; see Nissen. Some shelf-wear and soiling to the boards, part of the spine covers abraded; the text leaves to the atlas rather spotted, the text volume and the plates, however, much cleaner. In all a very good copy. Caprotti II, p. 9 (173); Nissen ZBI, 391.