Bourgery, Jean Marc. Traité complet de l'anatomie de l 'homme comprenant la médecin opératoire. Avec planches lithographiées d'après nature par N. H. Jacob. Parts I-II and VI (of 8). With 3 lithographic titles and 252 lithographic plates. 44.5 x 33.5 cm. Red half-chagrin leather bands d. Z. (edges and joints shaded) with gold plating and titles. Paris, Delaunay, 1831-1839. Eimas 1569. Wellcome II, 214. Waller 1372. Goldschmid 160 (only Volumes VI and VII). – First edition of the famous anatomical-surgical masterpiece. The lithographs mostly with several illustrations and explanatory text sheet show with great accuracy the anatomy of humans as well as numerous surgical methods and instruments. The monumental work appeared in deliveries over a period of 20 years. From 1830, Bourgery worked together with the illustrator and illustrator Nicolas Henri Jacob on the planning of his main work Traité complete de l'anatomie de l 'homme. Almost 20 years of joint work passed until the completion of this opus magnum. Since 1840 he has written scientific treatises (often with lithographs) published by the Academy of Sciences in Paris. In addition, he also contributed to the production of anatomical models made of paper stucco or papier mâché, for the anatomy museum of Félix Thibert. Bourgery did not limit itself to the mere compilation of existing material in this ambitious project. He supported his findings by autopsy and produced original anatomical preparations himself. He dealt with aspects of morphology, which had been neglected so far, developed numerous new methods and research approaches, which he described systematically and in detail. Bourgery was always trying to be up-to-date. Thus, numerous initial observations are made, especially in the areas of anatomy of the nervous system, embryology and organogenesis. Metaphysically, he saw himself as a traveller in search of a universal structure, whose secret he hoped to unravel by persevering study of the royal discipline of anatomy - far more than just an encyclopaedic collection of morphological findings. Bourgery researched non-university and was occasionally supported by well-known scientists. He died of cholera in 1849 and did not experience the completion of his opus magnum. "One of the most remarkable works in the history of anatomy, at least the most extraordinary of the 19th century. The price for a black-and-white copy was 800 francs, a considerable sum ... " (J. M. Le Minor & H. Sick in the excellent and executable. Introduction to the newly published part-facsimile of the Taschen-Verlag, which we give free of charge to the buyer of the original). "The well-known, anatomical-surgical splendour" (Hirsch). - "Paule Dumaître in his 'Histoire de la medecine et du livre medical' (Paris 1978) commented that Bourgery's work 'est considerré aujourd'hui sans conteste comme le plus bel ouvrage français d'anatomie publié au XIXe siècle' (p. 334). "It is without question one of the most beautiful illustrative anatomical and surgical treatises ever published in any language" (Eimas). – A little sticky and finger stained, occasionally with small traces of usage otherwise good specimen.