JOUANNET (François René Benoît VATAR) - Lot 309

JOUANNET (François René Benoît VATAR) Statistique du Département de la Gironde. Paris, Dupont et Cie ; Bordeaux, les Libraires, 1837-43. 2 volumes in 3 parts and 3 volumes in-4; frontispiece by ROUARGUE, 4 plates on 2 leaves, one large folding map (in fine of volume 3). ½ contemporary blue chagrin, spine ribbed and decorated, rubbed. An "Essai de complément de la statistique du département de la Gironde" was published in 1847, but is missing from this copy, and is not listed in the B.N. catalog. The 19th century saw the emergence of these important regional statistics, ordered by the prefectures on the basis of government directives, a precious tool for the administrator of the time and for today's historian. In 1818, the Prefect of Gironde asked Jouannet to draw up these statistics. He worked on it for 2 years, but as the material was insufficient, he set off on foot across the department, and for many years collected the data he would use to publish this work. Born in 1765, he was a teacher, printer, journalist, poet, musician, numismatist, museum curator, librarian and naturalist. - Enclosed: - VIVENS, vicomte de : Nouvelles recherches sur les encombrements toujours croissants de la Garonne inférieure et de la Gironde, particulièrement relatives à la portion de leur lit qui longe les côtes du Médoc... Bordeaux, Faye, 1840. In-8; illustrated with 2 folding plans. ½ contemporary brown chagrin, title and gilt fillets on smooth spine. - DORGAN (Hyacinthe): Panorama de la Gironde et de la Garonne, ou voyage historique et pittoresque sur les bateaux à vapeurs. Paris, Dentu, 1842. In-8, without the 4 out-of-text lithographs. Limited edition of 1000 copies. ½ blue cloth, gilt title on spine. First edition. A slightly revised and enlarged reprint appeared in 1845. Provenance: Printed bookplate Pierre Meller, Bordeaux