GUILLEMEAU, Jacques (1550-1613). De La Grossesse et accouchement des femmes. Paris: Abraham Pacard, 1621 [and:] GUILLEMEAU, Charles (1588-1656). Traicte des abusqui se commetent sur les procedures de l'impuissance des hommes & des femmes. Paris: Abraham Pacard, 1620 [Bound with:] BURY, Jacques. Le propagatif de l'homme et secours des femmes en travail d'enfant. Paris: Melchior Mondiere, 1623.

An exceptional copy of a classic obstetrical work, from the family of the author and in contemporary red morocco—Blondelet copy. This volume contains the second, expanded, edition of Jacques Guillemeau's important work with the first edition of Bury's treatise, in an unusually fine binding for a medical text. The work of the Guillemeaux was a major advancement in the field of obstetric surgery. Jacques had been a favorite student (and then son-in-law) of the great surgeon Ambroise Paré, succeeding him as royal surgeon to Charles IX, Henry III, and Henry V. His son Charles succeeded him, and enlarged his 1609 publication, De l'heureux accouchement des femmes, with an additional text of his own and fine engravings. The second work is by a specialist in difficult births, with naïve illustrations apparently of his own design. It includes case studies from the author's career, including a medical abortion done to save the life of the mother. Rare at auction, with only two other copies of the first work recorded sold by RBH and none of the second. Krivatsy 5133; See Valérie Worth-Stylianou, Traités d'obstétrique en langue Française au seuil de la modernité (2007).

Two works bound in one, octavo (171 x 104mm). Engraved title page to first work; engraved illustrations in text of both works (some toning, a little minute worming in blank lower corner, a few scattered stains). Contemporary French red morocco paneled in gilt, edges gilt (a little wear at extremities). Provenance: "Ex libris Petris Guillemot" and "Ex libris Francisci Guillemot," presumed descendants of Jacques and Charles Guillemeau (inscriptions) – Jean Blondelet (his characteristic cypher-signature on rear free endleaf).