Pierre Pomet,

PIERRE POMET (Paris, 1658-1699).
"Histoire générale des drogues".
Printed in 1694.
Eighteenth-century Spanish pulp covers.
The Metropolitan Museum in New York preserves a copy of the same characteristics.
Covers with faults and notable flaws. Spine partially fallen. Pages show faults, rust stains, humidity and xylophages. With notable damage due to use and the passage of time.
Measurements: 39 x 26 cm.

In 1694 Pierre Pomet published his "Histoire générale des drogues" with nearly 400 engraved images. It was a study of plants, animals, minerals or their parts and in general of all the simple or compound goods that drugstore and grocery merchants ordinarily had to have and could sell in their boutiques. Among many other issues, the discussion of unicorns or kangaroos stood out (for this Pomet cites the authority of Ambroise Paré, who claims that it lives in the Arabian desert, and that its horn can cure various diseases, especially poisoning). Pomet refers the reader to another recently published treatise on animals that illustrates even more unicorns. In chapter 33 Pomet discusses the narwhal, pointing out that what is known as "unicorn horn" is actually the narwhal's tusk.
Pomet was a pharmacist to Louis XIV and a purveyor of medicinal remedies from distant lands, such as sugar and coffee. After learning, he traveled through Italy, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands where he collected specimens, recipes and knowledge. He returned to Paris and opened a pharmacy. His text was translated into English in 1712 and widely disseminated.