Description:

Louis Pasteur
n.p., n.d.
Wine Pasteurization! Louis Pasteur Signed Presentation Copy of "Études Sur Le Vin"
SB

A signed copy of Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), "Études Sur le Vin, ses Maladies, Causes qui les Provoquent, Procédés Nouveaux pour le Conserver et pour le Vieillir, Deuxième Édition Revue et Augmentée" ("Studies on Wine, its Diseases, Causes That Provoke Them, New Processes to Conserve it and Age it, Second Edition, Edited and Expanded") (Paris: Librairie F. Savy, 1873), printed by Imp. Simon Raçon et Comp., Rue d'Erfurth. The edited and expanded second edition copy is signed and inscribed by Pasteur on the title page as: "À M. Van Tieghem / hommages affectueux / L. Pasteur" (To M. Van Tieghem / affectionate homages / L. Pasteur." N.p., n.d. The profusely illustrated volume contains 32 color plates by P. Lackerbauer/Savy and 25 in-text engravings, some with labels. Visual aids in the book include microscope slide views, illustrations of modern testing equipment, diagrams, charts, and formulae.

Bound in sumptuous diamond-decorated and gilt-embossed covers, with red and green spine panels, and striking marbleized endpapers. Expected wear including isolated toning, mat burn, foxing, and edge darkening mostly confined to the first few endpapers and pages. Isolated wrinkles or folded corners, else bright and clean within. A former collector's pencil inscriptions are found in the front and back. Else near fine. Preface to Second Editon; Foreword to First Edition; 1-262pp; Appendices (Reports and Documents): 263-341pp; Table of Contents: 343-344pp. 6.75" x 9.625" x 1.625." 8vo.

In 1863, Emperor Napoleon III had tasked Louis Pasteur with investigating some of the storage problems faced by French wine-growers. The first edition of Pasteur's "Études Sur le Vin" was published in 1866, after several years of careful testing and research. Pasteur revised the 264pp first edition in 1873, expanding the text to 344pp, and discussing the types of heating apparatus since developed by the French wine industry to improve and conserve its wine. In 1876, Pasteur returned to oenology, this time researching another popular European beverage, beer, with his "Études sur la Bière, ses Maladies, Causes qui les Provoquent, Procédé pour la Rendre Inaltérable avec une Théorie Nouvelle de la Fermentation" ("Studies on Beer, its Diseases, Causes That Provoke Them, Process to Render it Unalterable with a New Theory on Fermentation").

As a result of the 1863 imperial commission, Pasteur had identified fermentation, spoilage, and contamination by parasites, bacteria, and fungus as common problems affecting French wine. The "turning" of wine manifested itself in different ways: it could turn oily or vinegary, change color and texture, taste sour or bitter. To remedy these problems, Pasteur proposed heating wine to 57°C (134.6°F) in order to kill any microorganisms present. Pasteur's discovery of the process that later bore his name - pasteurization - led to his being awarded the Mérite Agricole prize and the Grand Prix de l'Exposition Universelle in 1867. Wine pasteurization allowed the commodity to be safely transported without undergoing any change to its taste or nutritional value. Although wine pasteurization was largely discontinued before the end of the 19th century (in favor of alternatives like filtering or the addition of sulfites), the practice continued in some regions of France until as late as the 1930s.

Pasteur dedicated this presentation copy of "Études Sur le Vin" to fellow the French scientist Philippe Édouard Léon Van Tieghem (1839-1914), his former pupil. Van Tieghem was a celebrated botanist and mycologist who had studied under Pasteur and undertaken research in Pasteur's laboratory. Van Tieghem earned a double doctorate in physics and natural history, was a professor, author of original research, translator, and inventor of the Van Tieghem cell, a special microscope slide for fungal samples.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6.75" x 9.625" x 1.625"
  • Medium: SB

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