Nouvel Aperçu des Résultats Obtenus...
Paris, L'Imprimerie Impériale, 1813. Parmentier, A A. Nouvel Apercu des Resultats Obtenus de la Fabrication des Sirops et Conserves de Raisins. de L'Imprimerie Impériale: Paris, 1813. 8vo (205x125mm) qtr bnd calf, red paste bds [4],458pp. In French. Upper joint sm split, faint foxing
Second-hand hardcover
PARMENTIER, A A [Antoine-Augustin (1737-1813)]
Nouvel Aperçu des Résultats Obtenus de la Fabrication des Sirops et Conserves de Raisins dans le cours de l'année 1812, pour servir de suite à l'instruction sur cette matière publiée en 1809; avec des réflexions générales concernant les sirops et les sucres extraits des autres végétaux indigènes.
Paris : de L'Imprimerie Impériale, 1813. First edition.
Octavo (205x125mm) contemporary binding, smooth spine, quarter bound sheepskin, red straight grain morocco gilt lettered spine label, gilt fillet-chain ruled compartments; red sponge marbled paste boards, all edges yellow, [4],[1],2-176,[2],177-200,[2],201-458pp: π²,A-L⁸,χ1,M⁸,N⁸(N4+1),O-Ee⁸,Ff6(-Ff6). Four folding plates of distilling equipment, engraved by Miller. In French. Upper joint 4cm split to head but firm; faint foxing and offset toning throughout, not affecting the text; closed tear to folding plate at p.145 not affecting the illustration.
In his last decades he investigated and championed the production of sugar from grapes/raisins. For most of the 18th century sugar was derived from sugar cane in the colonial plantations of the Caribbean. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Continental blockade (Berlin decree of 1806) caused a shortage of sugar, resulting in extreme prices for sugar which in turn lead to some civil and economic unrest in France. In response Napoleon offered a series of prizes to the chemists of France to find an alternate source for sugar. Parmentier investigated and advocated for the production of grape dextrose from raisins whilst exploring sugar production from a wide range of possible vegetable and fruit sources; the results of which were reported in the three editions of Traité sur L'Art de Fabriquer Les Sirops et Les Conserves de Raisins (1808-1810). Parmentier continued to investigate and champion the use of grapes and raisin syrup for sugar production right up until his death. This final volume on the subject updates the debate with the ongoing research undertaken by Parmentier and his colleagues. Parmentier died in 1813.
For various reasons, sugar beet (upon which he also done much investigation) was selected as the preferred solution. Even today a significant portion of European sugar is extracted from sugar beets. An intriguing example of how war creates innovation even in the most unlikely areas and how the foodstuffs we take for granted have a long and convoluted history.
A very nice copy of Parmentier's final contribution to agricultural chemistry and the production of sugar in Europe.
§ Simon BG 1134; Cagle 373; not in Vicaire.
Item #10432
Price: $450.00 AUD