Le iardin, et cabinet poetique de Paul Contant apoticaire de Poictiers. A Tres haut et tres puissant Mon Seigneur, Maximilian de Bethune, Duc de Sully, Pair de France, Cheualier, Marquis de Rosny, Con[seill]er du Roy en ses Conseils Déstat et priué, grand M[aîtr]e et Cap[itai]ne g[é]n[ér]al de son artillerie, grand Voyer et super Intendant des Fina[n]ces De Fra[n]ce, Gouuerne[u]r et Lieutenant g[é]n[ér]al pour sa Ma[jes]té en poictou

4to: [2] blank leaves, [22], 99, [5] pages, [10] leaves of plates (1 folded) illustrations, plates (one folded) ;22 cm. Illustrated with engraved plates depicting flowers, animals, marine creatures and genetic deformities. First museum book in French. Paul Contant's illustrated account of his collection of curiosities, one of the earliest scientific collections in Europe, is almost certainly the rarest of all museum books. Dedicated to Contant's fellow Huguenot the Duc de Sully (memorialized in museum history by the Louvre pavilion bearing his name), each copy seems to have been assembled to serve as a program for individual visitors. thus accounting for the work's extraordinary rarity. While taking the form of an extended poem rich in florid language and classical allusion, Contant's inventory also provides precious documentary evidence for the most noteworthy items of this very early collection. The numerous references to American species or artifacts (e.g., Brazilian toucan, armadillo, canoe) earn it a place in American bibliographies (Alden/Landis 609/23) with Fearrington noting: "Contant's collection was particularly strong in ethnographic material from North America" (Rooms of Wonder, no. 6)--From Martayan & Lan's catalogue. 19th cent. crushed red morocco, sig. and dated by Duru on front fly leaf, spine on 5 bars w. gilt title, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, green silk bookmark, gilded edges. Repair on folding plate.