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an open book with drawings of a tree and a bird on it
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1665 - Navy – Shipbuilding
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Estimate €600 - €800
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Description
Navy – Shipbuilding Herbin de Halle, Pierre-Étienne Timber suitable for use in naval and military arsenals, or a compilation and comparison of laws, regulations and instructions concerning the selection, felling and utilisation of timber suitable for shipbuilding, artillery, etc. A work approved by Count Bergon, life councillor of state, Director-General of the Water and Forestry Administration, etc. With 40 engraved plates, signed ‘gravé par Daréna’, of which 35 are finely hand-coloured, 3 large folded plates with detailed depictions of ship hulls, 1 large folded, double-sided engraved table plate with numerous illustrations. Paris, published by S. C. L’Huillier, 1813. XXIII, (1), 304 pp., 3 plates (tables), small 4° Contemporary half-leather binding with a smooth spine, richly gilt with a gold-embossed spine title. Polak, Bibliographie Maritime, No. 4428. - This rare standard work on forestry and maritime history systematically covers the laws, regulations and instructions governing the search for, marking (‘martelage’) and utilisation of timber suitable for shipbuilding and artillery construction in Napoleonic France. The author, Pierre-Étienne Herbin de Halle (1772–1838), a forestry administrator and Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, wrote the work on the basis of practical experience gained whilst serving in the forestry administration; it was approved by Count Bergon, a lifelong member of the Council of State and Director-General of Water and Forestry, and was primarily aimed at forestry officials, naval and artillery officers, and timber suppliers to the arsenals. The work is regarded as one of the most significant contemporary compendia on timber supply for the French Navy during the late Napoleonic period and is frequently cited in recent forestry history research as a reference on French naval forestry and the procurement of oak timber. The extensive set of plates, comprising 40 engravings by Daréna – 35 of which are in fine contemporary colour – depicts tree forms, timber species and their use in shipbuilding; the three large-format folded plates with detailed views of ship hulls, as well as the large, double-sided folded table featuring numerous technical illustrations, make the book one of the most comprehensive illustrated works on forestry and shipbuilding of its time. - The text is slightly foxed in places; the title page bears two old library stamps from a former Danish military library – an indication of the work’s early reception within military and naval engineering circles outside France. Rare. Navy – Shipbuilding. – With 40 engraved plates, signed ‘gravé par Daréna’, of which 35 are finely hand-coloured from the period, 3 large folding plates with detailed depictions of ship hulls, and 1 large folding engraved table, printed on both sides, featuring numerous illustrations. Contemporary half calf, flat spine richly gilt, with gilt-stamped title on the spine. Polak, Bibliographie Maritime, no. 4428. – This rare standard work on forestry and naval history systematically examines the laws, regulations and instructions concerning the search for, marking (‘martelage’) and exploitation of timber suitable for ship and artillery construction in Napoleonic France. The author, Pierre-Étienne Herbin de Halle (1772–1838), a forestry administrator and Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, wrote the work on the basis of practical experience gained whilst serving in the forestry administration; it was approved by Count Bergon, a life councillor of state and director-general of the administration of waters and forests, and was addressed primarily to forestry officials, naval and artillery officers, and timber suppliers to the arsenals. The work is regarded as one of the most important contemporary compendia on the timber supply for the French navy in the late Napoleonic period and continues to be cited in recent forest history scholarship as a reference for French naval woodland management and oak procurement. The extensive collection of plates, comprising 40 engravings by Daréna – 35 of which were finely coloured at the time – depicts tree forms, timber species and their uses in shipbuilding; the three large folding plates, featuring detailed views of ship hulls, together with the large folding engraved table, printed on both sides with numerous technical illustrations, make the book one of the most richly illustrated forestry and naval-construction illustrated works of its time. The text is somewhat foxed in places; the title page bears two old library stamps from a former Danish military library – evidence of the work’s early reception amongst military and naval technical circles. Rare. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
See original version (German)
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
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Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
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