BUFFON (Georges Leclerc de). Histoire naturelle générale et particulière. Deux-Ponts, Sanson & Cie, 1785-1791. 54 volumes in-12, spotted half-basin with corners, smooth threaded spine, orange, green and blue titles and double tomaison, green edges (Binding of the period). A charming in-12 edition of Buffon's masterpiece, published in the German town of Deux-Ponts (Zweibrücken). The General Natural History occupies volumes 1 to 13, the Natural History of Quadrupeds volumes 14 to 27, that of Birds volumes 28 to 45, and that of Minerals volumes 46 to 54. The illustrations include a portrait of Buffon engraved by Thelott after Mannlich, 4 folding maps and 324 out-of-text engravings, 319 of which delicately coloured at the time. A very fine copy complete with all 54 volumes in attractive uniform contemporary bindings. Nissen, ZBI, n°679 (portrait and 327 plates).