Customer Reviews

Dezallier D'Argenville: Conchology/Shells

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I looked forward to receiving this book based on the earlier reviews. I returned my copy on receipt. I am a former collector of antique prints - and these were not plates that I would have purchased for my gallery or collection. The quality of water color work of the original plates is not very detailed or interesting. Then beyond this - the actual reproduction and print quality of the book was dull, the black ink overall was printed too heavily and this further dulled the color of the plates, making the reproduction of the original paper dull and gray and the coloring of the shells overall very dull and grayed. This could have been a really beautiful book - but the publisher should have sought out a better original to reproduce from and been more careful with the color separation and printing process. It's an art book about reproduction of watercolors that should be beautiful - not drab as the copy I received was.

There are plenty of light shell collector's references on the market, but if one seeks a serious shell science packed with full-page color photos and conchology facts, Shells-Muscheln-Coquillages is the item of choice. The author was a an 18th century French collector passionate about drawing his subject and clearly identifying shells: his authoritative reference is simply not to be missed by any library serious about its conchology representation.

A beautiful book and a fair price. Not necessarily for everyone unless you are a seashell collecting enthusiast. Helps you appreciate the skill of persons who wanted to display nature before photography was available.

I saw this book in Anthropology for twice as much. I gave it to my friends for gifts. It is a lovely book.

I bought this book for a friend's birthday. This is a beautiful coffee table book with color illustrations. My friend is a seashell lover and she couldn't have been more pleased with this book. I am going to order more to keep for hostess and birthday gifts.

My two friends and I are perpetual shell seekers. I gave this as a beach trip "happy". A great memento and conversation piesce.The illustrations are beautiful and has peeked many guests interest. Great find--almost as good as a great beach discovery.