Paris, l'Imprimerie Royale, 1783-1786. Four parts in four. 4to (25.9 x 19.2 cm) [book size 26.8 x 21.0 cm]. Title pages with allegorical engraved vignettes, engraved head and tail pieces. 2,577 pp. (including a large table), as follows: I (1783) [ii], 557, xl pp.; II (1783) [i], 602, xxvi pp.; III (1785) [iii], 636, xix pp.; IV (1786) [iv], 448, xxxix pp. Contemporary uniform full tree calf. Gilt-bordered boards, spines with five raised bands, rich gilt compartments with floral vignettes, two morocco labels with gilt titles. Marbled endpapers. Edges red.

The text of the mineralogical section of the 4to edition of this large and important series on natural history by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788). A fifth, plate volume is lacking. Together they form a coherent segment of the whole work, containing all mineralogical text parts. Not present is the Traité d'aimant volume [on magnetism], which is regarded by some to be part of the Mineraux section, but which is fairly common as stand alone work. Other parts not included here deal with zoology. Do not confuse with the near-simultanously published 12mo edition. Some light rubbing to to the boards and spines, a few leaves a bit age-toned, as often, but generally very clean. An attractive set. Hoover, 192; Nissen ZBI, 672; Ward and Carozzi, 383.