BOURGERY (Jean-Marc). Traité complet de l'anatomie de l'Homme comprenant la médecine opératoire. Paris, C. A. Delaunay, 1840 [1832-1854]. 8 volumes in-folio, red half-chagrin with white parchment corners, spine decorated (Period binding). First edition of this monumental sum, published in 100 issues over a period of more than twenty-two years, thanks to the care of the physician and anatomist Jean-Marc Bourgery (1797-1849), who died before seeing it through to completion. First edition of 727 coloured plates lithographed from life under the direction of Nicolas-Henri Jacob, comprising a frontispiece and 726 anatomical plates (including 3 double plates and 7 fold-outs), all in colour except for 2 in black. This is certainly the most important and most beautiful anatomical treatise published in France in the 19th century. The plan of the work is announced in Bourgery's preface: "In the present state of anatomy, it seemed to us that it could comprise four main divisions: 1. the statement of the form and physical properties of the organs, such as nature presents them to us, or descriptive anatomy; 2. The examination of the relationships of these same organs to each other, both in health and in disease, in other words surgical anatomy; 3. The special study of tissues, or general anatomy; 4. The history of the modifications that the animal form undergoes under the influence of physical and moral causes: we designate this last part by the name of philosophical anatomy. When published in its entirety, the work will consist of eight volumes. The first five will be descriptive anatomy; volumes 6 and 7 will contain surgical anatomy and the operative volume; volume 8 will include general anatomy and philosophical anatomy". Each volume contains a first part of text followed by an atlas of plates with explanations. This considerable undertaking was only possible with the support of patrons including the royal family and the Ministry of Public Instruction. The last volume, which studies the composition and structure of tissues as well as the anatomy of non-human species, was completed after Bourgery's death with the help of numerous scientists, including Claude Bernard. A well-preserved copy despite some wear to the bindings. Inner hinge of vol. III cracked, two headpieces damaged, scattered brown spots, restoration with damage to the text pp. 69-70 of vol. IV.