Pasteur, Louis

Mémoire sur les corpuscules organisés qui existent dans l’atmosphère, examen de la doctrine des générations spontanées. [bound with] Examen critique d’un écrit de Claude Bernard sur la fermentation; Offprint from: Annales de Chimie et de Physique, 3e série, Vol LXIV

Paris: Mallet-Bachelier, 1862. First Edition. Hardcover. Two 1st editions bound as one in late 19th century red half calf, with gilt title to spine and marbled boards and end papers. Original blue printed front wrapper bound in with an inscription from Pasteur to colonel Idelphonse Favé: "À monsieur Le Colonel Favé hommage respectueux L. Pasteur" [To Colonel Favé with respectful tribute, L. Pasteur]. Pp. 110, with two large folding plates. Rubbing to extremities of the binding, strengthening to the joints, skillful repair to a 1" marred section of the front pastedown and endpaper, original wrapper with some toning and light creases to the corner, else internally clean and over-all very good. Very good. Item #852

This is the first offprint of Pasteur’s longest and most important work on spontaneous generation. Initially printed in Vol. 16 of the Annales des sciences naturelles, this offprint (the first offprint) was made from the Annales de chimie et de physique, 3, printed a couple months after the first.

This offprint is scarce, especially so inscribed, still more to those with relevant connections or interest in the discoveries. Favé, was an advisor to Napoleon III, particularly related to weaponry engineering, but held great influence in all fields of science. The introduction of Pasteur’s work on fermentation and spontaneous generation was important in guiding standards and practices where the French economy was concerned—as in grape and wine disease.

Norman, 1654; PMM, 336c; Garrison-Morton, 2475.

Price: $17,500.00