u/FantasticArgument631

Picked up a small group of original lithographic plates from what I believe is Bourgery & Jacob’s Traité complet de l’anatomie de l’homme (1831–1854), one of the most ambitious anatomical atlases ever produced. Drawn and lithographed by D.M. Galet, printed by Lemercier, Bénard et Cie in Paris.
The color is original hand-application — not a later chromolithograph reprint. Paper is heavy laid stock with the characteristic cream tone of mid-19th century French printing. Planches 159 and 160 show deep abdominal and retroperitoneal dissections; Planche 170 covers pelvic anatomy with multiple figures.
These were part of an 8-volume opus that took over 20 years to complete. The illustrations are genuinely stunning as objects — medical science meets fine art.

Picked these up recently and spent some time identifying them. They turned out to be original woodcut illustrations from the Polyhistor of Caius Julius Solinus, in the famous Basel edition edited by Sebastian Münster (1538 or 1543, printed by Michael Isingrin).
The three vignettes show ethnographic figures labeled “Gentes circa Maeotim” (peoples around the Sea of Azov) and “Gentes Indiae” (peoples of India) — typical of Münster’s geographic illustration style.
What makes this interesting: the woodcuts are mounted on a period laid paper support with hand-drawn ink borders — a classic collector’s presentation from the 17th or 18th century. The backing paper also has laid lines visible, suggesting it’s contemporaneous. On the reverse of each woodcut, Latin printed text is visible — confirming these are genuine leaves from the original volume.
The Solinus/Münster 1538 edition is historically significant — it contains the earliest printed representation of the northwest coast of America on a map.
Curious about others’ experience with leaves from this edition. What do pieces like this typically fetch these days?

I recently acquired this French world map (Mappe-Monde) and I'm trying to confirm its origin. Based on the geography and the handwritten note on the back, it dates to around 1810.
Key Features:
• Geography: You can see "N.lle Hollande" for Australia and "Terre de Diémen" for Tasmania, typical of the Napoleonic era.
• The Paper: It's a beautiful laid paper with a very distinct "K" watermark (second photo). I suspect it's from the Kolb paper mill, but I'd love to hear if anyone has seen this specific simple "K" in other French atlases from this period.
• Attribution: I'm leaning towards Auguste Delalain or Eustache Hérisson (Paris), given the clean, neo-classical style of the border and typography.
• Color: Original hand-outline coloring.
It has the original vertical center fold from being bound in a small atlas. I'm fascinated by the watermark—it’s so crisp for being 200+ years old.
Does anyone have more info on the specific paper mill or the engraver? Any advice on preserving it without losing the original feel?

I recently acquired this French world map (Mappe-Monde) and I'm trying to confirm its origin. Based on the geography and the handwritten note on the back, it dates to around 1810.
Key Features:
• Geography: You can see "N.lle Hollande" for Australia and "Terre de Diémen" for Tasmania, typical of the Napoleonic era.
• The Paper: It's a beautiful laid paper with a very distinct "K" watermark (second photo). I suspect it's from the Kolb paper mill, but I'd love to hear if anyone has seen this specific simple "K" in other French atlases from this period.
• Attribution: I'm leaning towards Auguste Delalain or Eustache Hérisson (Paris), given the clean, neo-classical style of the border and typography.
• Color: Original hand-outline coloring.
It has the original vertical center fold from being bound in a small atlas. I'm fascinated by the watermark—it’s so crisp for being 200+ years old.
Does anyone have more info on the specific paper mill or the engraver? Any advice on preserving it without losing the original feel?

A rare and charming set: antique French theatre/opera binoculars in ivory-tone celluloid and brass, complete with their original leather carrying case bearing two intact red paper pharmacy seals.
The binoculars:
Galilean opera glasses with smooth ivory-tone celluloid panels, patinated brass barrels and bridge, finely knurled focus wheel, and original ivory-tone eyepiece rings. Central focusing mechanism operates smoothly. Lenses clear and functional. Maker’s mark not fully legible — construction consistent with French manufacture, Belle Époque period.

The case:
Original fitted leather case with blue fabric interior lining and brass clasp. The exterior base bears two remarkable intact red paper seals reading:
“PHARMACIE MIGNOT FONDÉE EN 1775 — PEYROT — PHARMACIEN DE 1re CLASSE — BEAUMONT”
This documents the piece’s origin in a French provincial pharmacy established in 1775 — a rare and genuine 19th-century provenance.

Condition: Good antique condition consistent with age. Some wear to leather case exterior. Celluloid panels intact, no cracks. Lenses functional with minor dust.

A rare and charming set: antique French theatre/opera binoculars in ivory-tone celluloid and brass, complete with their original leather carrying case bearing two intact red paper pharmacy seals.
The binoculars:
Galilean opera glasses with smooth ivory-tone celluloid panels, patinated brass barrels and bridge, finely knurled focus wheel, and original ivory-tone eyepiece rings. Central focusing mechanism operates smoothly. Lenses clear and functional. Maker’s mark not fully legible — construction consistent with French manufacture, Belle Époque period.

The case:
Original fitted leather case with blue fabric interior lining and brass clasp. The exterior base bears two remarkable intact red paper seals reading:
“PHARMACIE MIGNOT FONDÉE EN 1775 — PEYROT — PHARMACIEN DE 1re CLASSE — BEAUMONT”
This documents the piece’s origin in a French provincial pharmacy established in 1775 — a rare and genuine 19th-century provenance.

Condition: Good antique condition consistent with age. Some wear to leather case exterior. Celluloid panels intact, no cracks. Lenses functional with minor dust.

Found this beauty at a French flea market — opera glasses still in their original leather case from a pharmacy founded in 1775, before the French Revolution”

The red wax seal on the case reads: “Pharmacie Mignot fondée en 1775 — Peyrot, Pharmacien de 1ère Classe — Beaumont”

The pharmacy predates the French Revolution by 14 years. Someone carried these to the theatre in Napoleon’s era. The ivory-colored celluloid barrels are pristine, optics still crystal clear.

What I love about antique hunting in France — objects carry entire lifetimes of history in their details
#Antiques #FarmaciaTestaDOro #AntiqueBinoculars #OperaGlasses #Venice1775 #CollectorsItem #VintageLuxury

Found at a French brocante, nearly walked past them. Then I noticed the engraving: COLMONT Fabricant, Serie Veco line, with the maker’s star mark stamped on the bridge. A signed piece.

40mm objective lenses, center focus wheel still butter-smooth after 130 years. The green verdigris on the brass isn’t damage — it’s a century of outdoor life. Hunting trips, horse races, maybe a regatta on the Seine.

These were built in Paris during the Belle Époque, when French optical craftsmen were the best in the world. And they still work perfectly.

Some things are just made to last.

Found this beauty at a French flea market — opera glasses still in their original leather case from a pharmacy founded in 1775, before the French Revolution”

The red wax seal on the case reads: “Pharmacie Mignot fondée en 1775 — Peyrot, Pharmacien de 1ère Classe — Beaumont”

The pharmacy predates the French Revolution by 14 years. Someone carried these to the theatre in Napoleon’s era. The ivory-colored celluloid barrels are pristine, optics still crystal clear.

What I love about antique hunting in France — objects carry entire lifetimes of history in their details.