Topography - Lot 340

Topography FLAMICHON (François) Théorie de la Terre, déduite de l'Organisation des Pyrénées et Pays Adjacens, Rédigée par Mr Jn. LATAPIE, ex-Aspirant de la Marine Militaire, sur les manuscrits de M. FLAMICHON, Ingénieur-Géographe. Pau, Tonnet, 1816. In-8, 311pp. ½ contemporary fawn calf, smooth spine decorated, title, gilt fillets and irons, speckled edges. A fine copy. Rare. François FLAMICHON began work on this "Théorie" in 1774 and completed it around 1786. He himself describes his own limitations in tackling such a subject: "It is in this state of ignorance, without books, without masters, but also without prejudice, that I undertake to write on the theory of the earth". This geographer-engineer arrived in Pau in 1771 by order of the King to draw up a map of the province. This large map, entitled "Souveraineté de Béarn", shows the Pyrenean mines. It was presented to the States of Béarn in 1783. PALASSOU used FLAMICHON's services in 1784 for the iconography and some surveys (very accurate, according to Massie) of his "Essai sur la Minéralogie". FLAMICHON, meanwhile, was working on other projects, such as making the Gave navigable between Bellocq and Peyrehorade "to establish this navigation. The art consists more in the suitable shape of the boats, than in the work on the river". Last but not least, he designed the Place Gramont, which is remarkable for its lack of shutters (Labarère 576)(Perret 1680)(Desplat : F. Flamichon in Revue de Pau et du Béarn 1973 pp.117 à 136).