280 - 1751 (MEDICAL) VENUS PHYSIQUE, PIERRE LOUIS MAUPERTUIS

1751 (MEDICAL) VENUS PHYSIQUE, PIERRE LOUIS MAUPERTUIS (MEDICAL) Venus Physique [by Pierre Louis Maupertuis]. No imprint, no publisher, dated 1751. 12mo, v + errata (seven entries). 240pp; original brown calf with gilt title label on spine, binding sturdy but scuffed and worn. 6th edition, revised and augmented, originally published 1745. The arrival in Paris of an albino black man provided the author with an opportunity to present his theories on explaining the creation of new species; these ideas prefigure and contain embryo genetic concepts. He was a pioneer in life sciences, providing an important milestone in the evolution of genetic and hereditary theories. Here he explores human sexuality through an 18th century lens, addressing an educated audience rather than only his academic contemporaries. This book is divided into two sections: “du Negre Blanc” (White Negro) and “Varietes dans l’Espece Humaine” (Variations in Human Species). Condition: Please refer to description. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All statements contained in the catalog, condition reports, invoices, advertisements, or elsewhere concerning the authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, period, culture, source, provenance, authenticity, genuineness, condition, rarity, importance, or value of any lot are statements of opinion only and shall not be construed as representations, warranties, or statements of fact. All lots are sold "as-is", refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions does not offer in-house shipping. We will provide a list of recommended shippers upon request.