Title Page from Renard’s Poissons

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Title

Title Page from Renard’s Poissons

Description

Renard’s Poissons, Ecrevisses et Crabes is one of the most significant books on fish. It is frequently cited as the first book about fish to be issued from the publisher with coloured plates and is well-known among natural history collectors for its scarcity, value, and vibrant—sometimes outlandish—coloured plates. Unfortunately, these same plates make the book exceptionally attractive to biblioclasts, and copies of the book are being broken and sold leaf-by-leaf even today. This title page is from one of two broken copies of Renard’s Poissons that I have purchased from the sellers who were actively breaking the books. I have managed to preserve bindings, some text leaves, and a selection of plates from each of these two formerly complete copies. Although each book represents only a fraction of what it once was, I am happy to have preserved what I could.

Creator

Justin Hanisch (photographer)

Source

Poissons, Ecrevisses et Crabes de diverses couleurs et figures extraordinaires, que l’on trouve autour des Isles Moluques, et sur les côtes des Terres Australes

Publisher

Reinier and Josue Ottens

Date

1754

Contributor

Louis Renard (author)

Format

Folio; partially uncoloured copy

Language

French

Coverage

Amsterdam (published)

Citation

Justin Hanisch (photographer), “Title Page from Renard’s Poissons,” Bruce Peel Special Collections Library Online Exhibits, accessed July 12, 2025, https://omeka.library.ualberta.ca/items/show/3330.

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