Les Récréations Scientifiques: ou l'Enseignement par les Jeux
Gaston Tissandier
📚 Genre
Popular Science / Educational Recreations
🏢 Publisher
G. Masson Éditeur (Bibliothèque de la Nature)
📅 Publication Year
Circa 1881-1894 (Initial publication 1881)
🔢 ISBN
None (Pre-dates ISBN system)
About This Book
A classic 19th-century work designed to teach science through experiments and games. It covers physics, chemistry, mechanics, and natural history with detailed illustrations. The cover is a green cloth 'cartonnage' with ornate gold gilt stamping typical of the period, featuring the series title 'Bibliothèque de la Nature' and decorative flourishes.
Book Details
Language
French
Pages
Approximately 600-700 pages depending on the specific edition
Edition
Early Hardcover Edition (Cartonnage de l'Éditeur)
Series
Bibliothèque de la Nature
Target Audience
General Audience / Students / Victorian Science Enthusiasts
Collector Information
Condition
Fair to Good. Visible wear on the spine head and corners, moderate staining on the green cloth (likely water or oil), and some loss of detail in the gilt. The spine appears slightly cocked and the edges show bumping.
Estimated Value
$60 - $120 USD
Rarity
Uncommon. While many copies were printed, finding them in well-preserved original publisher's bindings like this green gilt cloth is becoming more difficult for collectors.
Historical Significance
Gaston Tissandier was a famous French chemist and balloonist. This book is a seminal work in the 'popularization of science' movement in the late 19th century, influencing how science was taught to the public.
Collector Notes
Collectibility is heavily dependent on the brightness of the gold gilt and the cleanliness of the cloth. This copy has significant surface staining which lowers its value. For preservation, it should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent the green cloth from fading. Collectors should check for the presence of all wood-engraved plates, as they are often removed for framing.
Similar Books
La Science Amusante by Tom Tit (Arthur Good), Physics without Apparatus by Jean-Noël Gaston Tissandier, The Boy's Own Book of Science by John Joseph Griffin.
Notable Features
Features numerous wood-engraved illustrations; high-quality gilt-stamped binding by the publisher G. Masson.