Les Singeries Humaines. Petit Museum Comique et Grotesque. [2], iv, 146, [2] pp. With engraved title-page, and 12 copper-plate engravings. Oblong 8vo., 130 x 200 mm, bound in nineteenth century quarter red morocco, matching marbled paper covered boards. Paris: Louis Janet, [ca. 1820].
First and only Edition. A rare satirical work with a series of lively copper-plate engravings that depict monkeys engaged in human activities and occupations. The illustrations show monkeys painting, barbering, selling hats, hunting, playing instruments, soliciting, doing a magic lantern show among others.
The work is an excellent example of the French tradition of critiquing elements of society by the use of personified animals, as direct criticisms often lead to censorship. Much in the style of J. J. Grandville, this work predates his great Les Métamorphoses du Jour by almost ten years.
OCLC locates copies at Princeton, Columbia, UVA, The Morgan and the Smithsonian. Described in Gumuchian as "Extrêmement rare." Some scattered foxing, the title-page with a bit more, overall a near fine copy.
Gumuchian 5375.
