1. Art and Diseño

DIETER SCHIERENBERG BV
The
4 8 th c a l i f o r n i a
Rare books and periodicals on Natural History
International Antiquarian
[email protected] www.schierenberg.nl
Mob: +31 6 55755935 B o o t h 6 0 7
OAKL AND, CALIFORNIA
[1] Arnoux, H. Album du Canal de Suez. Port Saïd, [Zangaki], ca. 1880.
Oblong 4to (25.8 x 36.0 cm). Original pebbled cloth. Gilt
title on front board.
$1150
= A collection of 12 albumen prints of the Seuz canal, each
measuring 21.5 x 27 cm. The series includes a birds eye view
of Port Saïd, a view towards Suez, and ten plates with ships
crossing the canal, including one which shows a dredger,
and one the “Palais du Chantier VI”. Several plates show the
same French battleship. The photos were made by the PortSaïd stationed French photographer Hippolyte Arnaux,
of whom little is known except that he was active as a
photographer in Egypt in de period between 1860 and 1890.
Apparently, this album was available in various editions, as
the photos have different numbers up to 55, and we know of
another copy with 11 photos, and different photos included.
Added: three sets of stereoscope photos, mounted on yellow
board, titled “Inauguration du Canal de Suez. Entrée de
la flotte dans le canal à Port Saïd”, “La Themis portant le
pavillon amiral a Port-Saïd”, and “La flotte au mouillage &
montagnes Akaka a Suez”. The canal was opened in 1869
and apparently these photos date from that year. Boards
rubbed and a bit discoloured, torn at the joints, bookblock
detached, the mounted photos in good condition, as are the
stereoscope photos.
[2] Audsley, G. A. and M. A. Audsley The practical decorator and ornamentalist. For the
use of architects, painters, decorators, and designers.
Containing one hundred plates in colours and gold. With
descriptive text. Published for subscibers only. London,
Blackie & Son, no date (1892). Folio. Issues 1-10 in original
printed portfolios. With 66 chromolithographed plates.
$1100
= Rare work on (interior) designs, with beautiful chromo-
lithographs of ornaments in various styles, including Greek
and Japanese. One of the last great works of nineteenth
century chromolithography, rare to find in original portfolios. George Ashdown Audsley (1838-1925) was a Scottish
architect, and illustrator. His best known building is
perhaps the London West End synagoge in Bayswater. Later,
he moved to New York and his firm designed the Bowling
Green Offices, the largest office building erected in New
York City in 1896. His son Maurice, although an architect by
profession too, became better known as a photographer in
later life. This is not all that has been published as the total
number of plates is 66, and the highest number recorded is
100. One plate (plate IV) cut in half, with one ornamental
strip removed. One issue damp-stained in the upper inner
corner. Portfolios rather worn, but most plates, except the
ones noted above, in very good condition with just some
occasional thumbing on outer margins.
[3] Auer, A. Der polygraphische Apparat oder die verschiedenen Kunstfächer der K.K. Hof- und Staatsdruckerei
zu Wien. I. und II. Vortrag. Die Erklärung und praktische Anwendung des polygraphischen Apparates.
Wien, Kaiserlich-königlichen Hof- und Staatsdruckerei
(K. Akademie der Wissenschaften), 1853. 8vo. Tissueguarded frontispiece, 53, [ii] pp., 29 plates of which two
BO O K FA I R
double-sized, and one (nature) colour-printed on the
recto and verso (counted as one plate), including two
early original photographs (mounted), and five partly in
nature-printed technique, which are in colour or tinted.
Original printed wrappers.
$5800
= A very rare offprint of the first publication on the invention of nature printing. Next to Auer’s “Entstehung des
Naturselbstdruckes” it is, in fact, the rarest of all, and it
is in mint condition. This must be the very first publication on this subject, and was originally published in the
journal “Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der
Wissenschaften,
Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche
Classe”, Band IX, pp. 868-884. The carefully designed plates,
which show a wide variety of printing techniques, are
subdivided into the following: photographie, mikrotypie,
lithographie, chemitypie, chalkographie, siderographie,
hyalographie, guillochirung, stilographie, galvanographie,
naturselbstdruck, mineralographie, mineralotypie, xylographie, typographie, and typometrie. The Fischer collation is incomplete, apparently lacking one of two natureprinted flower plates, or the frontispiece: this is unclear. Two
plates of agate are listed by Fischer as “Naturselbstdruck”
but since they show polished stones, Auer’s captions,
“Mineralographie”, and “Mineralotypie”, are more accurate. Fischer’s “4 Blatt typographischer Proben” are in fact
two double-sized plates, thus Fischer’s total is 28 plates.
This copy has 29. In both Fischer and our collations, the
mirror image on the verso of the nature printed oak leaf are
not counted. This work is usually offered as a part of the
Sitzungsberichte, apparently in a more condensed version
with only 17 text pages, instead of 55. Of this entirely differently paginated offprint only one complete copy has been
auctioned during the last 40 years. Spine split, otherwise a
very good, clean copy. Fischer, 41; Heidtmann, 403. See also
P. N. Heilmann, “Die Natur als Drucker” (1982).
[4] Balcerak, J. et al. Kalendarz jazzowy na rok 1958. [Polish Jazz Calendar)
Gdánsk, Miesiecznik Ilustrowany, 1957. Folio. (32.5 x 19.6
cm). 14 leaves with photos of Jazz giants, and a cardboard
rear board.
$350
= A fine calendar, showing that Jazz was much alive during
the Cold War behind the Iron Curtain. The large photos
include Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Stan Kenton, Peggy
Lee, King Oliver’s Creole Jazz-Band, Miles Davis, Gerry
Mulligan, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, the unforgettable
Leslaw Lic and Jerzy Matuszkiewicz, and several others,
all with a short biography on the versos, and the months
printed below. Photo credits include Herman Leonard, J. J.
Kriegsman, and others. Slight creasing to the margin of the
rear board, otherwise fine. Very rare.
[5] « Beauty bird calendars »
[Sample catalogue of calendars with images of birds,
made from real feathers] Westport Line, no date, ca. 1955.
Folio (34.5 x 23 cm). A ringbound catalogue containing
six samples of real feather bird picture calendars, and
four samples of other calendars, preceded by a few leaves
of explanatory text. Original silver-printed paper boards.
$680
= A curious and remarkable item. In the 1950s, calendar
publisher Westport Line issued a series of calendars whose
covers were decorated with a picture of a bird, made of real
feathers. According to the introduction, the calendars were
handmade, using “actual feathers in natural colours of tropical birds”. A very uncommon production technique with a
long history, but now probably (and hopefully) belonging
to the past. This late example certainly forms an interesting footnote in the history of bird illustration. A very good
complete copy.
[6] Berthier, P. [M.] [Mont Frumento] Paris, Paul Berthier, ca. 1863-1865.
Broadsheet (60 x 45 cm), with original mounted albumen
silver print (36.5 x 25.8 cm).
$4400
= Paul Marcellin Berthier (1822-1912) is regarded as one of
the foremost French photographers of the 19th century, as
well as an accomplished impressionist painter. He is principally known as a landscape and a portrait photographer
(of, e.g., the French poet Lamartine), and as a landscape
painter. His landscape photos are rare and sought-after, and
are, for instance, included in the collection of the Museum
of Modern Art in New York. This photograph is of geological importance, showing Monte Frumento on Sicily, which is
situated on the flanks of Mount Etna, whose snow-covered
top is seen in the background. This photo can be dated as
from 1863-1865, as Berthier is known to have photographed
the Etna volcano during and after its 1861-1865 eruptions.
He did not visit the area after 1865. The 1866 volume of “Le
tour du Monde”, contains a series of papers by Élisée Reclus
on the 1865 Etna eruption, illustrated with engravings after
original photos by Berthier. Berthier’s blindstamp below the
photo, as caption. Some spotting, mainly in the margins.
[7] Bonnard, A. [J. D.] En Chine [Manuscript] Original manuscript, 1920-[1921].
Handwritten on 516 large (31.0 x 21.0 cm), numbered
leaves. Preserved in a modern cloth-covered clam-shell
box, with a few old journal clippings related to the author.
$5600
= Manuscript by the controversial French poet, writer, and
politician Abel Jean Désiré Bonnard (1883-1968), member of
the Académie Française, and writer of more than 15 works;
both fiction and non-fiction. This manuscript deals with his
travels to China, published in two volumes as “Notes de
voyage: En Chine (1920-1921)” (Paris, Artheme Fayard, 1924).
The manuscript was dedicated “à ma mère, parce qu elle me
dit que cela lui fait plaisir, et que je voudrais lui faire tous
les plaisirs possibles” [to my mother, because she told me
that it made her happy, and I would do everything to make
her happy], and dated juin [June] 1920. In other words, the
dedication was written during his voyage. Sections of the
manuscript deal, for instance, with Pekin (Beijing), le Yangtsé, Chinese villages, Hong-Kong, and the return voyage.
Later in his life, Bonnard moved politically to the extreme
right. During WWII he became a minister in Pétain’s Vichy
gouvernment: “Bonnard was one of only a few members
expelled from the Académie française after World War II
for collaboration with Germany. Bonnard was condemned
in absentia to death during the épuration légale period for
wartime activities. However, Francisco Franco granted him
political asylum in Spain. In 1960, he returned to France to
face retrial for his crimes. He received a symbolic sentence
of 10 years banishment to be counted from 1945, but dissatisfied with the verdict of guilty, he chose to return to Spain
where he lived out the remainder of his life” (Wikipedia).
His book “Les modérés”, first published in 1936 has recently
[2013] been republished. The manuscript contains many
additions and corrections by the author. A few leaves a bit
frayed and chipped at the out margins, otherwise very good
and well-readable. A unique item.
[8] Bonnaterre, [P. J.] Tableau encyclopédique et methodique des trois regnes de
la nature, dédié et présenté a M. Necker, Ministre d’État,
& Directeur Général des Finances. Erpétologie, ophiologie. Paris, Panckoucke, 1789-1790. Large 4to. xxviii, 70,
[i] pp. 69 engraved plates, as follows: 1-7 [amphibians],
1-6 [turtles], 1-12, 6(II) [reptiles]; xliv, 76 pp., 43 engraved
plates (A, 1-42) [snakes]. Contemporary style half calf
over mottled boards. Rich gilt spine with five raised giltornamented bands and red morocco label with gilt title.
Marbled endpapers. Edges red.
$2750
= This is a part of the famous “Encyclopédie Méthodique”
and forms the separate part on amphibians and reptiles,
and the one snakes, both written by the French priest and
zoologist Pierre Joseph Bonnaterre (1752-1804). The plates,
by Robert Bénard, are renowned for their accuracy and
detail. The text contains a systematic review with detailed
descriptions and many new names. Being strictly binomial
this is an important early contribution to the herpetological
taxonomy and nomenclature. Uncut. The part on cetaceans
(Mammalia), often combined with the herpetology, is not
included, which means that this is the complete herpetology, with all text and all 69 plates, without anything else.
With wide margins. A very good clean copy in a beautiful
binding. Nissen ZBI, 4621.
[9] Bordère, [V. H.] Herbarium. Gèdre, unpublished, [1879]. Oblong 8vo. 14
leaves with multiply dried plants. Printed paper label on
front wrapper.
$480
= A fine herbarium by the French botanist Victor Henri
Bordère (1825-1889) containing 52 plants from the environment of his home town, Gèdre (Hautes-Pyrénées), and
ceans, arachnids, Myriapoda, Scorpiones and Insecta (with
numerous new species) and, in a 5 pp. section, the annelids.
Many species including several reptiles and molluscs were
described and figured for the first time in this work, which
is one of the rarest works in natural history. One vignette,
tail piece of the Mollusca section, shows Chama broc-
other localities, including Pic du Midi, where he collected
alpine plants. The plants were very carefully dried, and
each has information on the locality, month and year
it was collected. For this, Bordère made use of printed
labels. A few captions are entirely handwritten, by Bordère
himself. The label on the front wrapper describes the
author as “Instituteur” (teacher) and member of several
botanical and natural history societies. A very good item.
The very rare complete zoological results of
a scientific expedition to the Peloponnese
(Greece)
[10] Bory de Saint Vincent, J. [B. G. G. M.], Expédition scientifique de Morée. Section des sciences
physiques. Tome III. Première partie. Zoologie. Première
section. Des animaux vertébrés. Mammifères et Oiseaux
[AND reptiles, fish, molluscs and polypes]. (AND)
Deuxième section. Des animaux articulés (AND) Atlas.
(the complete zoology). Paris and Strasbourg, 1832-1833[1835]. 4to (35.0 x 26.2 cm) and large folio (52.3 x 35.1 cm).
Text: III(1) (1833) half title, title (to the mammals and
birds) 209 pp., including the “Vertébrés a sang froid”
(reptiles and amphibians) and the “Mollusques”, two
finely engraved endpieces; III(2) (1832) half title, title,
400 pp., one engraved endpiece; Atlas with 55 plates of
which 39 finely hand-coloured (numbered I, Ia, II-LIV).
Contemporary uniform green half morocco over marbled
boards, borders with intricate patterned gilt lines. Spines
with five raised bands. Compartments with gilt vignettes
and gilt titles. Marbled endpapers. All edges marbled.
$17.000
= The very rare complete zoological results of a scien-
tific expedition to the Peloponnese (Greece) lead by Jean
Baptiste Georges Geneviève Marcellin Bory de SaintVincent (1780-1846). The voyage was made on behalf of
the French government following a military operation to
eradicate the Egyptian army of Ibrahim Pasha in the wake
of the Greek war of independence. The whole operation,
including the scientific researches, was modelled after
Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt, 25 years earlier. This is the
entire volume III, Zoologie, with all 55 plates. Volumes I and
II contain the narrative by Bory, architecture and archeology, geography, geology and mineralogy, and volume III
contains a second part, on botany, however, these are not
included. The area was surprisingly understudied by zoologists, which resulted in the discovery and descriptions of
many new species. The parts were written by specialists
in each field, namely Isodore and Étienne Geoffroy SaintHilaire jointly for the birds and mammals, Gabriel Bibron
and de Bory described the herpetology and the fishes,
Gérard Paul Deshayes the Mollusca, Bory added a “Notice
sur les polypiers de la Grèce” (all in volume III part one).
In volume III part 2, Auguste Brullé described the crusta-
chii Deshayes, described in this work. The plates, by Paul
Louis Oudart (illustrating most of the lizards and snakes),
Jean Gabriel Prêtre (molluscs), Jean Charles Werner, and
E. Guérin (the insects), arguably the best French natural
history illustrators of the 19th century, are of an outstanding quality, rich in detail and beautifully hand-coloured.
Corners a bit rubbed. Some pages, notably the endpapers,
spotted, a few hand-coloured plates with some spotting,
mostly in the margins, several plain plates (mostly depicting fossil molluscs) more heavily spotted. The atlas is without title page but it is unclear if one has been issued as it is
not mentioned in any bibliography. According to Stafleu &
Cowan the plates were among the last parts published. Two
plates with a short marginal tear (one with an old repair).
Otherwise a superb copy in a fine contemporary binding.
Dean I, p. 157; Horn-Schenkling, 2695; Nissen ZBI, 4628;
Stafleu & Cowan, 672.
[11] Brongniart, C. [J. E.] Note sur un nouveau genre d’entomostracés fossiles,
provenant du terrain carbonifère de Saint-Étienne
(Palaeocypris Edwardsii). Paris, Masson [in part], 1876.
4to (28.3 x 23.5 cm). 3 pp. of printed text, three original pencil drawings and one original ink drawing by
Brongniart. Contemporary quarter calf over marbled
boards. Gilt title on the spine.
$1800
= A unique combination of the printed text and the origi-
nal drawings made and signed by the author and presented
to the publisher (and returned) to serve as a basis for the
printed illustrations. The illustrations are made on white
cardboard sheet, each with Brongniart’s “autograph” stamp
on the versos, and with pencilled and ink titles and captions.
The ink drawing on a smaller piece of cardboard (14.5 x 16.5
cm) and mounted on a large sheet. This item shows exactly
how the French palaeontologist and zoologist Charles Jules
Edmée Brongniart (1859-1899) prepared the illustrations of
his works. The paper was published in the Annales Sciences
Geologiques,’ volume 7(3), pp. 1-6. This peculiar early
species is still regarded as valid today. Edges a bit rubbed,
front free endpaper age-toned, otherwise very good.
[12] Brunner von Wattenwyl, K. Betrachtungen über die Farbenpracht der Insekten.
Leipzig, W. Engelmann, 1897. Folio (32.0 x 42.5 cm). 16 pp.
Nine fine chromolithographed plates. Original half cloth
portfolio with printed paper label pasted on front.
$850
= Dedicated to princess Therese of Bayern. The chromolithographs are by T. Bannwarth in Wien. The text and plates
are in perfect condition, which is highly unusual, and very
bright indeed. Front board very slightly rubbed, one tissue
guard a bit frayed at edges, two plates with a few light
spots, otherwise a meticulous copy. Signed by the author on
the cover to “Dr Herman Krauss”. Nissen ZBI, 636 (for the
English edition which is rare too). Horn-Schenkling II(1), p.
383.
and a few uncoloured). A complete set of the first and
second series, London, for the author, (1787)-1826. Bound
in contemporary green half calf with gilt lettering and
marbled boards.
$24,000
= William Curtis (1746-1799) was an apothecary who sold
his business to concentrate on his real interest: the study of
natural history. He began the Botanical Magazine in 1787,
a journal devoted to decorative and unusual plants which
appealed to gardeners. Curtis’ botanical magazine became
the longest running botanical journal in history. It was
published under various titles bearing Curtis’ name until
1983. Some plates with faint (ranging to light) off-setting to
the white background of the image. A few pages and plates
slightly browned or age-toned. The hand-colouring of plates
still bright. Overall a good set in a contemporary binding
with expertly renewed flyleaves. Two volumes expertly
rebacked in matching green Morocco, some of the boards
with new marbled paper in matching contemporary style.
Nissen BBI, 2350; Stafleu & Cowan, 1290; Hunt 184, Great
Flower Books, 2.
[15] Darwin, C. [R.] and A. R. Wallace Three papers on the tendency of species to form varieties; and on the perpetuation of varieties and species by
natural means of selection. London, J. van Voorst, 1858.
8vo. 16 pp. Contemporary embossed red cloth with gilt
title on the spine.
$12,000
[13] Chickering, F. E. Cloud crystals; a snow-flake album. Collected and
edited by Mrs. Frances E. Chickering. New York, NY, D.
Appleton, 1883. 4to. Frontispiece, illustrated title page,
158 pp., 27 plates, five text figures. Original blue pebbled
cloth with black and gilt ornaments on front board and
gilt title on the spine. Original printed endpapers. $175
= This book is an ode to winter, and snow in particular,
with a mix of scientific contributions, poetry and proze,
and some 200 figures of snow-flakes on a dark brown background, each drawn by the author after nature. The writings were made specifically for this album, or taken from
works by Robert Burns, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Milton,
Tyndall, and others. Strangely, the first, 1864 edition with
27 plates is seen more frequently. Spine foot and edges with
some partly discoloured patches, otherwise a fine copy.
Complete first two series of the longest running botanical journal in history
[14] Curtis, W. The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed...
To which are added, their names, class, order, generic
and specific characters, according to the celebrated
Linnaeus; their places of growth, and times of flowering:
together with the most approved methods of culture. A
work intended for the use of such ladies, gentlemen, and
gardeners, as wish to become scientifically acquainted
with the plants they cultivate. Vols. 1-53, with 2709
hand-coloured engraved plates (over 150 of these folding
= Contained in: The Zoologist, volume 16. These three
papers, published shortly before “The origin of species”,
actually introduce the notion of speciation and natural
selection independently discovered by Darwin and by
Wallace. Darwin had already conceived of his theory in
1839, but because of its expected strong effects upon biological sciences, as well as on ethics, religion and morality,
publication was greatly delayed, mainly because Darwin
thought it absolutely necessary to collect as much supporting evidence as possible. However, in June 1858, Darwin
received a letter by Wallace containing a clear and concise
rendering of the concept of natural selection. Darwin,
who was not quite ready yet, had to publish his ideas, and
Wallace, who still was out collecting birds and beetles in
the Malay Archipelago, had to be given credits due. Darwin
discussed the matter with Charles Lyell and John Hooker,
and it was decided that three papers, one by Wallace, being
his letter, and two by Darwin (a letter to Asa Gay, and an
abstract of Darwin’s manuscript), were to be read at the
meeting of the Linnean Society of London on June 2, and to
be printed in the Journal of the Proceedings of the society
(Volume 3, pp. 45-62, dated August 30, 1858). The reading
hardly made a stir. However, the editors of the more popular and much wider-read The Zoologist magazine sensed
its importance and published it too (this copy) in the 16th
volume, pp. 6293-6308. We offer the entire volume 16, bound
in contemporary embossed full cloth. Some wear to spine
ends and lower rear joint, armorial college bookplate on the
front pastedown, small private owner’s stamp on the half
title (F. F. Freeman, a relative of Darwin’s bibliographer?),
and a vague stamp on the title page verso. Otherwise fine,
with clean pages. A really nice copy in very good condition.
Freeman, 349.
True first edition (the extremely rare “pure”
Elsevier edition) of Descartes last great work
published during his lifetime
[16] Descartes, R. Les passions de l’âme. Amsterdam, Louys Elzevier, 1649.
8vo. [ii], [xliii], 286 pp. Fine full red morocco with five
raised bands; spine with gilt title, marbled end-papers,
all edges gilt, elaborately gilt blind-tooled inner dentelles.
$14,000
la nature de l’homme” analyzes the relationship between
soul and body; in the second part “Du nombre & l’ordre
des passions, & l’explication des six primitives”, Descartes
analyzes the passions from within, giving us a definition of
each of them; in the third part “Des passions particulieres”,
Descartes examines the different passions. This is preceded
by a discourse in letters, dated from 6 November 1648 to
14 August 1649, between Descartes, then living in Egmond
(Holland), and Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia. “Les passions
is Descartes’ most important contribution to psychology
proper. In addition to an analysis of primary emotions, it
contains Descartes’ most extensive account of causal mind/
body interactionism and of the localization of the soul’s
contact with the body in the pineal gland.” (http://serendip.
brynmawr.edu/Mind/Descartes.html). The work was to be
published by Henry le Gras in Paris, but printed by Elzevier
in Amsterdam. Most copies were shipped to France, but
apparently a (much) smaller number was retained by
Descartes. These copies have an Elzevier title page without
the mention of Henry le Gras, Paris. It is not known how
many copies remained in Amsterdam, but it is interesting
to note that the Amsterdam version, arguably the real first
edition (Willems: “Édition originale de cet ouvrage célèbre,
imprimée par Louis Elzevier”), is much rarer; the Norman
sale contained both (Norman 625 and 626) and although
the estimate was identical, the Amsterdam edition went
for almost twice as much as the Paris version. Willems:
“L’édition de 1649 est assez rare, surtout avec l’adresse
primitive”. A mint copy in a exceedingly fine binding by the
famous French binder, George Trautz-Bauzonnet (1808-1879).
Provenance: on the front pastedown the tiny elegant gilt
monogram “SE” or “ES” [perhaps the French philosopher
Émile Saisset (1814-1863), writer of “Précurseurs et disciples
de Descartes” (1862)]. Garrison-Morton, 4965; Hunter and
McAlpine, pp. 133-134; Norman, 625.
[17] « Design - Lamps - Original photographs » Gand, Emile Schulze, Ca. 1910-1935. A set of 133 original
b/w and fc photos, mounted, of, mainly, lamp designs.
$925
= A collection of original photographs with an average size
= The last philosophical work of René Descartes [here: Des
Cartes] published during his lifetime. The word “reflex”,
was first introduced in this work in the modern sense, i.e.
“...in connection with the action of the nervous system.”
(Hunter & Macalpine) . “In the treatise Passions of the Soul
... completed in 1649 and dedicated to Princess Elisabeth of
Bohemia, the author contributes to a long tradition of theorizing “the passions”. Now called emotions, they have been
“subject of debate among natural philosophers since the time
of Plato. Notable precursors to Descartes who articulated
their own theories of the passions include St. Augustine,
St. Thomas Aquinas and Thomas Hobbes” (Wikipedia).
Descartes’ treatise is divided into three parts: The first
part, “Des passions en general: et par occasion de toute
of 15 x 10 cm (6”x 4”) but many larger, or somewhat smaller,
and a few printed images of well over 250 different lampmodels. The vast majority mounted on similar-sized cardboard sheets (17 x 24 cm; 5.5” x 9.5”). Several come with handwritten notes about their dimensions, the light bulbs to be
used, a catalogue number, etc. Some are hand-coloured or
in colour photography. A minority is loose, or mounted on
smaller cardboard sheets. One is a postcard, dated 1932. Also
included is a business paper from the firm of Etablissements
Emile Schulze, Gand (Ghent, Belgium). Apparently this firm
was a major lamp dealer in pre WWII Belgium, and probably it went out of business in the 1970’s. The Museum van
Oude Techieken (Museum of Old Technics, MOT) in Ghent
lists two catalogues of “Emile Schulze. Fabrique d’appareils
d’éclairage et de manchons à incandescence”, and “Fabrique
de Lanternes. Appareils d’Eclairage, Manchons à incandescene”. All cards and photographs are in good condition.
A very nice, unique collection.
[18] Devresse, G. Esquisses. Paris, Librairie des Arts Décoratifs (A.
Calavas), [ca. 1900]. Large folio ()54.0 x 37.5 cm). 24 decorative, broad-margined phototype plates. Portfolio with
printed boards and cloth spine. $380
= A fine, complete suite of Art Nouveau or Jugendstil floral
decorations, occassionally including exotic animals or pastoral scenes, designed by Gaston Devresse and printed by J.
Boyet in Paris, France. The very large, decorative images
were meant to be inspirational, or for display. Apparently
Devresse’s aim was to introduce the “New Art” to a new,
broader public. A version with only 12 plates is known. This
[20]
copy, however, has 24 plates. According to Schneider-Henn,
this work from “um 1907”, but that seems to be rather late.
Indeed, WorldCat (http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccnnr90-8421) states: “2 editions published in 1900 in French
and held by 6 libraries worldwide”. The portfolio is a bit
rubbed, otherwise an excellent set without foxing or toning.
Rare in very good condition. Schneider-Henn 365.
[19] [Dezallier d’Argenville, A. J. D.] l’Histoire naturelle éclaircie dans une de ses parties principales, l’Oryctologie, qui traite des terres, des pierres,
des métaux, des minéraux, et autres fossiles. Ouvrage
dans lequel on trouve une nouvelle méthode Latine &
Françoise de les diviser, & une notice critique des principaux ouvrages qui ont paru sur ces matières. Paris, De
Bure, 1755. 4to. Engraved frontispiece, [6], xvi, 560 [1] pp.,
26 engraved plates. Contemporary full mottled calf, richly
floral gilt spine with five raised bands and gilt lettered
red morroco label. Marbled endpapers, edged red.
$1150
= Next to “La conchyliologie” (1742, 1757) and “La lithogra-
phie” (1742) the most important publication by d’Argenville,
but lesser known and rarer than the other two. Just as the
other two works published anonymously. The Oryctologie
mainly deals with corals, fossils (mainly of molluscs,
and fish), minerals and precious stones, but an appendix
also includes “oyseaux qui n’ont jamais eté gravés” and
“Poissons de l’Amerique dessinez par la pere Plumier et
qu’on pretend n’avoir jamais eté gravéz”. The plates were
designed by Devermont and engraved by Chedel. The
frontispiece depicts Cybele with mural crown, holding an
ammonite and a coral, and with crystals and stalagmites at
her feet. Light shelfwear, otherwise a very good copy; text
and plates clean, with strong impressions. Ward & Carozzi
660; not in Nissen.
[20] « Diamant Brokat - Gold Brokat » Two trade catalogues showing wallpaper samples from
the thirties. No publisher nor date, Germany ca. 1930.
Two oblong 8vo trade sample catalogues, containing
over 250 sample sheets of wallpaper in various colourful
designs. In original stiff wrappers with gilt title. $1350
= Very diverse and bright samples. Some of them would
certainly be very fashionable again today. We could not find
any information about which firm issued these catalogues.
It seems that this was a luxurious line of wallpapers, since
the designs are often very artistically composed. This is
underlined by the words “Marke Excellenz” on the covers.
Wrappers slightly worn on corners, samples all clean and
bright and in mint condition.
[21] Donovan, E. The natural history of British fishes, including scientific
and general descriptions of the most interesting species,
and an extensive selection of accurately finished coloured
plates taken entirely from original drawings, purposely
made from the specimens in a recent state, and for the
most part whilst living. In five volumes. London, printed
for the author and Rivington, 1802-1808. Five volumes in
two. 8vo. With the title pages of volumes 1 and 2 respectively (being bound according to the Linnaean system).
16 pp. “advertisement” (i.e. the introduction with systematic arrangement), 120 superb hand-coloured engravings,
each tissue-guarded and with two or more accompanying text pages. Contemporary uniform half pebbled
green morocco with gilt ornamented edges over vellum
covered boards. Gilt linings and titles on spines. $5800
= Rare first edition, first issue of one of the most important
works of the prolific Anglo-Irish zoologist and publisher
Edward Donovan (1768-1837), renowned for his lavishly
illustrated “Natural History of British Birds”, “Natural
History of British Insects”, “An Epitome of the Natural
History of the Insects of India”, and many others. Next to
Bloch’s and Bleeker’s works on fishes, this is one of the most
beautifully illustrated fish books. The fish have mostly been
drawn from living specimens and are therefore very vivid.
The fine colouring includes egg white and mineral colours
as seen in the blue of the stellated globe-fish or king-fish.
The albumen overglaze and the special highlights have a
most striking effect. Some tissue papers are a bit spotted,
without affecting the plates. A few plates lightly age-toned,
but overall a very good clean copy. The plates are bound
systematically, following the Linnaean system advocated in
the advertisement and grouping similar and related species
together. For this reason the half titles have been abandoned
and the 16 pp. advertisement is present (the latter often
deleted in numerically bound copies). The first volume
contains the Apodes, Jugulares, and Thoracici, the second
the Abdominales, Branchiostegi and Chondropterygii.
Inscribed on front pastedown of both volumes: Rupert
Cobb/Margate/[1915; 1st part only]). Dean I, p. 330; Nissen,
Schöne Fischbücher 51; Nissen, ZBI 1141.
[22] Einstein, A. Die Grundlage der allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie.
Leipzig: Johann Ambrosius Barth, 1916. 8vo (23.2 x 15.8
cm). 64 pp. Contemporary quarter crimson calf over
marbled boards. Gilt title on the spine. Original printed
wrappers bound in.
$3250
= The first description of Einstein’s “general theory of
relativity”and the first dealing with gravity, not to be
confused with his 1905 introduction of the more limited
“special relativity”. This is the official “Sonderdruck”
(offprint) from the “Annalen der Physik”, Band 49, printed
by Metzger & Wittig in Leipzig, with their number 314 on
the title page verso (i.e. the true first edition with the pages
numbered [1]-64). It includes a preface and an index that
are not present in the Annalen-version. According to Weil,
“This separate edition is printed on good, strong paper, the
wrappers are of strong material too (163 x 243 mm) and it is
described now as “t h e o r i g i n a l e d i t i o n” of this classic paper. ... There are several anastatic reprints of it”. The
rear wrapper lists seven other Barth publications, nearly
all on physics and written by Wien, Planck, and Wiener,
ending with Wiener, 1909, and Ziehen, 1916. There is also a
little known later (1919) reprint, not listed in Weil, which is
also dated “1916”. However, in that edition the rear wrapper
publication list ends with Lorentz (1919), and Wien (1919)! A
clean copy, very slightly trimmed, otherwise unaltered. It is
rare to see a copy with the contents and wrappers in such a
good state. Horblit, 26c; Weil, 80a; PMM, 408.
[23] « Ella Fitzgerald »
A printed folder “The sound of Ella in the 70’s” with
original photos, and other ephemera. This folder includes
concert photos, and press photos, often with typed sheets
with some personal data and other information pasted
on the rear. Most photos measure ca. 17 x 24 cm, a few are
smaller. Also included is a program book, a postcard, and
some concert-reviews, partly translated into German,
etc..$350
= Apart from Ella, several other Jazz musicians are visible,
notably Louis Armstrong. The total number of photos is 20.
All photographs in very good condition.
[24] Elsken, E. van der Jazz. Amsterdam, De Bezige Bij, 1959. Small square 4to.
[18, 14] pp. (text in Dutch]; 81 pages with b/w photos of
Jazz stars performing in Amsterdam in the late 1950’s.
Laminated pictorial boards.
$360
= First edition, first printing of a photobook by Ed van der
Elsken (1925-199), one of the most famous Dutch photographers and cinomatographers (see http://www.edvanderelsken.nl). “His imagery provides quotidian, intimate and
autobiographic perspectives on the European zeitgeist
spanning the period of the Second World War into the nineteen-seventies in the realms of love, sex, art, music (particularly jazz), and alternative culture.” (Wikipedia). Includes an
index to the photos, and discographies (the then available
LP and EP records) of all the performing artists, alphabetically from Louis Armstrong to Lester Young. Tiny bookshop
label on the front pastedown, otherwise clean. A near mint
copy. Rare, especially in this state.
[25] Engelbrecht, M. An album of 21 sheets of cut-outs with about 450 counted
pieces and 10 full engraved sheets (of which two are
double), signed by Mart. Engelbrecht ex. and Cum Pr.S.C.
Maj. (Nürnberg, 1730/1740). 4to (size 33.0 x 22.0cm). 19th
century pictorial boards in recent green cloth clamshell
box.$4000
= Martin Engelbrecht (1684-1756) and his brother Christian
were successful German illustrators and engravers from
the Augsburg School at the beginning of the 18th century.
Martin Engelbrecht was probably the first to create cards
specially designed for miniature theaters, portable dioramas that became highly successful in the second half of
the 18th and early part of the 19th centuries, before being
replaced by the magic lantern, home film and video, the
dvd, etc. Engelbrecht devoted entire series of these illustrations to the Italian theater. They were, however, also used
in scrapbooks, as is done here. It is rare to see so many of
his engravings combined. Some show people (some as caricatures, with larger heads), others are very accurate images
of wild and domestic animals, garden objects, scenery, etc.
Many are simply placed thematically together, but others
are used to create whole page scenes. A few are not cut out,
but occupy a whole frame (about 24 x 16 cm). The majority are hand-colouring, others are sepia-tinted. The album
is signed on the title page: Sermensan Lainée 1797. Leaves
uncut. 11 blank leaves present in the rear. Paper strong and
clean. Printing and colouring bright and contemporary. A
unique item.
[26] Ettingshausen, C. and A. Pokorny Physiotypia
Plantarum
Austriacarum.
Der
Naturselbstdruck in seiner Anwendung auf die
Gefässpflanzen des Österreichischen Kaiserstaates,
mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Nervation in den
Flächenorganen der Pflanzen. [Nature printed violet
and a leopard plant; numbered in pencil; 17, 257] Wien,
Kaiserlich-Königlichen Hof- und Staatsdruckerei [18551856]. Two folio nature-printed plates (58 x 40 cm, circa 45
x 30 cm for printed area). Unbound and uncut with full
margins.$680
= Constantin Freiherr von Ettingshausen (1826-1897),
professor of botany at the University of Graz was a major
researcher of European Tertiary floras. He also had a great
interest in nature-printing, for their accuracy in transferring a real natural history object to an image on paper.
In his “Physiotypia Plantarum”, these two interest were
combined. The present set of a violet (Viola mirabilis L.)
and a leopard plant (Ligularia sibirica L.; a now endangered
European wetlands plant) plate seem to be proof plates,
since they do not have printed captions or plate numbers,
only pencil annotations in the top margin and at the bottom
of plates’ versos. The imprint seems extremely pronounced,
which supports the idea of them being among the very first
coming through the press. In fact they are among the most
fantastic examples of nature-printing with their very decorative botanical illustrations. Only nature printing can give
this true 3D effect to a plate, and these are among the best
ever made. Both plates are in very good condition, with only
a few small and marginal imperfections never disturbing
the printed area. The complete work consisted of five folio
atlases with 500 plates. According to Staffleu & Cowan: “the
most important work produced by nature printing ever
published”. Even individual plates are very rare. Fischer No.
69; Nissen BBI, 613; Pritzel 2756; Staffleu & Cowan, 1723.
[27] Ettingshausen, C. and A. Pokorny Physiotypia
Plantarum
Austriacarum.
Der
Naturselbstdruck in seiner Anwendung auf die
Gefässpflanzen des Österreichischen Kaiserstaates,
mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Nervation in
den Flächenorganen der Pflanzen. [Nature printed
ferns, numbered in pencil; 4 and 28] Wien, KaiserlichKöniglichen Hof- und Staatsdruckerei [1855-1856]. Two
folio nature-printed plates (58 x 40 cm, circa 45 x 30 cm
for printed area). Unbound and uncut with full margins.
$560
= Constantin Freiherr von Ettingshausen (1826-1897),
A very rare work, highly import for the history of the conquest of the Americas
[29] Fernandez Piedrahita, [L.] Historia general de las conquistas del Nuevo Reyno de
Granada. Amberes (Antwerp), Jean Baptiste Verdussen,
[1688]. Folio (29.7 x 20.9 cm). Title page, three finely
engraved plates (title page and frontispieces preceding
chapters) by J. Mulder, [xvi], 599, [vii] pp. Contemporary
vellum. Spine with contemporary script title.
$16,800
professor of botany at the University of Graz was a major
researcher of European Tertiary floras. He also had a great
interest in nature-printing, for their accuracy in transferring
a real natural history object to an image on paper. In his
“Physiotypia Plantarum”, these two interest were combined.
The present set of fern plates seem to be proof plates, since
they do not have printed captions or plate numbers, only
pencil annotations in the top margin and at the bottom of
plates’ versos. The imprint seems extremely pronounced,
which supports the idea of them being among the very first
coming through the press. In fact they are among the most
fantastic examples of nature-printing with their very decorative botanical illustrations. Only nature printing can give
this true 3D effect to a plate, and these are among the best
ever made. Both plates are in very good condition, with only
a few small and marginal imperfections never disturbing
the printed area. The complete work consisted of five folio
atlases with 500 plates. According to Staffleu & Cowan: “the
most important work produced by nature printing ever
published”. Even individual plates are very rare. Fischer No.
69; Nissen BBI, 613; Pritzel 2756; Staffleu & Cowan, 1723.
[28] Ettingshausen, C. and A. Pokorny Physiotypia
Plantarum
Austriacarum.
Der
Naturselbstdruck in seiner Anwendung auf die
Gefässpflanzen des Österreichischen Kaiserstaates,
mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Nervation in den
Flächenorganen der Pflanzen. [Nature printed ferns,
numbered in pencil; 21, 24] Wien, Kaiserlich-Königlichen
Hof- und Staatsdruckerei [1855-1856]. Two folio natureprinted plates of matching size (58 x 40 cm, circa 45 x 30
cm for printed area). Uncut with full margins. $620
= Constantin Freiherr von Ettingshausen (1826-1897),
professor of botany at the University of Graz was a major
researcher of European Tertiary floras. He also had a great
interest in nature-printing, for their accuracy in transferring
a real natural history object to an image on paper. In his
“Physiotypia Plantarum”, these two interest were combined.
The present set of fern plates seem to be proof plates, since
they do not have printed captions or plate numbers, only
pencil annotations in the top margin and at the bottom of
plates’ versos. The imprint seems extremely pronounced,
which supports the idea of them being among the very first
coming through the press. In fact they are among the most
fantastic examples of nature-printing with their very decorative botanical illustrations. Only nature printing can give
this true 3D effect to a plate, and these are among the best
ever made. Both plates are in very good condition, with only
a few small and marginal imperfections never disturbing
the printed area. The complete work consisted of five folio
atlases with 500 plates. According to Staffleu & Cowan: “the
most important work produced by nature printing ever
published”. Even individual plates are very rare. Fischer No.
69; Nissen BBI, 613; Pritzel 2756; Staffleu & Cowan, 1723.
= A very rare work, in a very good contemporary binding,
by the Spanish writer, bishop, and gouvernor of Panamá,
Lucas Fernandéz [de] Piedrahita (1624-1688). According to
Sabin (vol. 15, p. 97) this is “a work of the highest importance for the early history of New Grenada”. The work
deals with the conquest of the Americas by the Spanish.
It is particularly interesting because of the descriptions of
the habits of the indigenous people of the Viceroyalty of
New Granada” (present-day Panama, Colombia, Venezuela,
Ecuador, Guyana, southwestern Surinam, parts of northwestern Brazil, northern Peru, Costa Rica and Nicaragua).
It also contains a detailed history of the Spanish invaders in the area up to the year 1563. Piedrahita was born in
Bogotá, and probably partly of Indian descent. He became a
bishop and was captured, tortured, and later released by the
famous English pirate Sir Henry Morgan after sacking the
town of Santa Marta. The finely engraved title pages show
battle scenes, and both the foremost Indian (chapter one)
and Spanish (chapter three) leaders. Old, short annotation
on the title page, flyleaves with some marginal paper loss.
“The work in any condition is very rare”(Field). Only very
few copies came to auction over the past 45 years and this is
definately the one in the best condition. A fine copy. Sabin,
62704.
[30] Fleury, G. Decors et ameublements au goût du jour. Paris, Massin &
Cie, 1925. Contemporary illustrated portfolio in folio size,
containing a title sheet, 8 leaves of text and 32 plates in
photogravure.$400
= Beautiful large plates of Art-Nouveau interiors, presented
by the famous decorators of the time, like Lucie Renaudot,
Lahalle & Revard, Robert Mallet Stevens and other. A near
fine copy.
[31] Freycinet, R. De Saulces de [C. Duplomb, ed.] Campagne de l’«Uranie» (1817-1820). Journal de madame
Rose de Saulces de Freycinet. D’après le manuscrit
original accompagné de notes par Charles Duplomb.
Paris, Société d’Éditions Géographiques, Maritimes et
Coloniales, 1927. Large 4to. Half title, title, xiii, 191 pp.,
25 plates, of which 13 in colour, including three doublesized. One page-sized map. Original burgundy half cloth
with gilt title over original crimson boards with gilt title,
borders, vignette (depicting the “Uranie” and a palm
tree) and borders.
$1750
= First publication of a diary kept during the circumnav-
igation of the earth, between 1817 and 1820, on the naval
research vessel “Uranie”, by the wife of the expedition
leader, Louis Claude de Saulces de Freycinet (1779-1842). His
wife, Rose Pinon (1794-1832), was smuggled on board and
“...initially disguised as a man. While not the first woman
to circumnavigate the world, she was the first to record
her experiences, in a diary. Being not intended for publication and being both frank and personal musings about
people, places and events, her writings represent an important anthropological resource. ... She went on board on 16
September 1817; report of her presence reached the French
media soon after, leading to sensational reports in the press
and ‘indignation in official circles.’ The presence of women
aboard Navy vessels was illegal, and it is possible that the
Navy, the Ministry of the Interior, and the press learned of
Rose’s presence from an officer who was removed to make
way for her. At any rate, Rose initially dressed as a man,
and even visited the governor of Gibraltar dressed in “a blue
frock-coat with trousers to match.” (wikipedia). Her very
accurate and informative dairy was not published until
1927. Rose Atoll, an important wildlife refuge and part of
American Samoa was named after her. This first edition
has fine, partly hand-coloured plates, after drawings made
during the voyage, mainly by Jacques Arago, the botanist travelling with De Freycinet. They show scenery (e.g.
the views on Cape Town, Sydney - Port Jackson, and Rio
de Janeiro), indigenous people and their habits, etc. The
“official” results of the voyage were published as “Voyage
autour du monde fait par ordre du Roi sur les corvettes de
S. M. l’Uranie et la Physicienne, pendant les années 1817,
1818, 1819 et 1820, with Freycinet as editor. Complete copies
of this work are very rare. Publishers binding with original
spine mounted to matching later red cloth. Gilt “logo” of the
Cruising Library Association embossed on front board, and
the small blindstamp of the same neatly placed in the topmargin of the title. Small chip in one leaf margin, otherwise
a very good, clean copy, with the original printed wrappers
bound in. Probably printed in a very low number as it has
also become very rare.
[32] Gaubil, A. A description of the plan of Peking, the capital of China;
sent to the Royal Society by Father Gaubil, è Societate
Jesu. Translated from the French. London, The Royal
Society, 1759. 4to. [ix], 396 [numbered 481-876], [xix] pp.;
plates XIX-XXXVI, including two large, folded maps of
Peking [plates XXIV-XXV]. Contemporary half calf over
marbled boards.
$1400
= For a long time, next to nothing was known in the West
about Peking [Beijing]. The French missionary Antoine
Gaubil (1689-1759) was one of the first bring accurate information, including this fine, early map, which was regarded
upon of great importance, hence its publication in the
Philosophical Transactions. This is the whole volume 50(II)
for the year 1758. Gaubil’s paper is on pp. 704-726, with
plates 24-25. Boards and spine much worn and split, soiled,
but Gaubil’s paper, and the plate are in very good condition.
[33] Grew, N. Musaeum regalis societatis. Or a catalogue & description of the natural and artificial rarities belonging to
the Royal Society and preserved at Gresham Colledge.
Whereunto is subjoyned a rare and excellent discourse of
minerals, stones, gums, and rosins; with the vertues and
use thereof. By Arnold de Boate. London, the author, 1681
[Limited edition REPRINT: Tucson, AZ, Mineralogical
Record, 1991]. Folio (33.0 x 19.4 cm). Frontispiece [portrait
of Nehemjah Grew, title page, half title, second frontispiece [portrait of Daniel Colwal Armiger] [xvi], 98
(numbered 253-350), [i] pp., two engraved plates; 16 pp.
(numbered 217-232), two title pages. Publishers half calf
over cloth boards. Spine with five raised bands and black
morocco label with gilt title.
$280
= This peculiar facsimile reprint edition [of 50 copies only]
of Grew’ s typical “Wunderkammer” book, contains the
parts and plates related to mineralogy. Added (included) is
a second preface to the new (1991) edition, written by the
American mineralogist Wendell E. Wilson who places the
work in its historical context, and in particular in relation
with the growth of the Royal Society, of which the medical doctor Grew (1641-1711) was an early member. Here, it
is also explained that the frontispice portrait of Grew was
taken from another of his works, namely the “Cosmologia
Sacra (1701)”. The original title page is at the rear, the one in
front is a pastiche of the original title page, with the section
“Whereunto is subjoyned the comparative anatomy of stomachs and guts” (written by Grew) is replaced, in similar “ye
olde letter”-style, by “Whereunto is subjoyned a rare and
excellent discourse of minerals, stones, gums, rosins; with
the vertues and use thereof, by Arnold de Boate. London:
printed by Bernard Alsop, and are to be sold at his house in
Grubstreet, near the upper pump. 1653”. The presence of the
De Boate paper, which follows Grew’ s part, is not explained.
This is number 27 of a limited edition of 50 copies. With the
pictorial bookplate of the mineralogist, John Sinkankas
(1915-2002) (who added, in pencil, an uncomplimentary
comment) on the front pastedown. A very good, clean copy.
Nissen ZBI, 1714 (for the original).
[34] Grew, N. Musaeum regalis societatis. Or a catalogue & description
of the natural and artificial rarities belonging to the Royal
Society and preserved at Gresham Colledge. Whereunto
is subjoyned the comparative anatomy of stomachs and
guts. London, the author, 1681. Folio (32.1 x 19.4 cm).
Frontispiece [portrait of Daniel Col(l)wal Armiger], title
page, half title, [viii], 388 pp.; 1 l., title page, 43 pp., 31
engraved plates. Contemporary full calf. Boards blind
tooled, spine with five raised bands and red morocco
label with gilt title.
$1000
= The plates depict a veriety of typical “Wunderkammer”
natural history objects including skulls, shells (four plates),
fossils, insects, starfish, tropical seeds, etc. Nehemjah or
Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712) “...was an English plant anatomist and physiologist, very famously known as the ‘Father
of Plant Anatomy’” (Wikipedia). In fact, his anatomical
interest was much wider, as shown in this work: from plate
23 onwards the plates show complete intestines, folded to fit
on the plates. In fact this anatomical part is a great novelty.
“...in 1677 he succeeded Henry Oldenburg as secretary of the
[Royal] society. He edited the Philosophical Transactions in
1678-1679, and in 1681 he published by request a descriptive
catalogue of the rarities preserved at Gresham College, with
which were printed some papers he had read to the Royal
Society on the Comparative Anatomy of Stomachs and
Guts” (Wikipedia). Grew was also an early microscopist.
Provenance: Armorial bookplate of the British politician
Charles Bathurst (1753-1831) on the front paste-down, as well
as the small book label of the Harvard scientist and collector
= Original drawings by the famous Danish bird illustrator
of scientific instruments, David P. Wheatland (1898-1993).
“David Pingree Wheatland - known affectionately to many
as Mr. Wheatland - began amassing the nucleus of objects
that were to become the Collection of Historical Scientific
Instruments in the 1920s. After graduating from Harvard
College in 1922 with a Bachelor of Science degree, he became
involved in his family’s lumber business in Maine. Though
successful in business ... Mr. Wheatland returned to Harvard
in 1928 to work in the Physics Department, first as a technical assistant to Professor Leon Chaffee, then as Department
Secretary, and in 1940, as the Assistant Director of the Cruft
Research Laboratory of Physics ...Approximately ninetyfive percent of the apparatus, books, and other items in the
Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments [of Harvard
College] were touched by David P. Wheatland. They were
rescued, conserved, documented, and housed, bought,
donated, treasured, and shared. ... Without his vision and
unstinting generosity, this Collection would not exist.”
(http://chsi.harvard.edu/chsi_wheatland2.html).
Frontis
and title page fore edges a bit frayed and chipped; front free
endpaper chipped; plate 29 with the upper fore edge partly
cut, including the plate number. Otherwise a very good
copy. Nissen ZBI, 1714.
[35] Grönvold, H. Original drawings of the parrots in Wytsman’s “Genera
Avium”. Tervuren, P. Wytsman, before 1910. Six fully
handcoloured original drawings of parrots on cardboard;
size between 21.5 x 18 and 26.5 x 20 cm, and numerous
similar, smaller drawings of parrot heads, wings, and
tails. Loose in portfolio.
$3600
Henrik Grönvold (1858-1940). These six very accurate and
beautifully coloured drawings represent the key figures of
part on the parrot family Loriidae, written by T. Salvadori
for Wytsman’s “Genera Avium”, which was published as
livraison 11. These are the plates that formed the basis of
published chromolithographs. Added are many smaller
handcoloured images of addition bird heads, wings, and
tails, which were also present on the published plates, each
depicting a different species of parrot and showing the variation within the genera treated. Some drawings differ markedly from the published images, many images may have not
been published. Grönvold was the illustrator of many famous
works on birds, including Shelley’s “Birds of Africa”, Beebe’s
“Monograph of the pheasants”, and Matthews’ “Birds of
Australia”, as well as many plates for the Zoological Society
of London (Proceedings and Transactions), as well as for
Rothschild’s “Novitates Zoologicae”. Philogène Auguste
Galilée Wytsman (1866-1925) was a Belgian ornithologist,
entomologist, and publisher. He is remembered as the editor
and publiser of this work, and of the “Genera Insectorum”.
Tomaso Salvadori (1835-1923) was one of Italy’s foremost
ornithologists. Published plate and figure numbers added
by a contemporary (Wytsman’s?) hand in pencil. Scientific
names on versos, often in two or more different handwritings, presumably including the artist, the author, and/or the
publisher. Added: a few small envelopes with Wytsman’s
address. These envelopes contained some of the smaller
drawings. Boards very lightly toned; versos with signs of
once being mounted. All in very good condition. Nissen
IVB, 1028 (published edition).
[36] Hachisuka, M. The Dodo and kindred birds or the extinct birds of the
Mascarene Islands. London, Witherby, 1953. 4to. xvi, 250
pp. Coloured frontispiece showing Keulemans’ Dodo
painting and 22 plates of which 11 are in colour. Many
illustrations in the text. This copy is number 174 of only
485 copies published. Blue cloth binding with the original printed dustjacket.
$900
= Rare and beautiful book on the Dodo and other extinct
birds from the Mascarene Islands, published in a limited
edition. This title is one of the few recent bird books that have
become a true classic. A good copy of this title is very hard to
find now. The fine plates are mostly after original coloured
engravings. Among the uncoloured plates are maps and a
drawing of a Dodo skeleton. With a comprehensive bibliography at the end of the book. Library stamps on front free
endpaper recto, one text page, and two plates; blindstamp
on title (all of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union),
a vague brown offsetting on two adjacent text pages [of a
smaller (news)paper clipping laid-in], library label on dust
jacket spine, pouch on rear board inside, otherwise a good
copy of this now rarely seen work.
[37] Haeckel, E. Kunstformen der Natur. Leipzig and Wien, Bibliogr.
Institut, (1899-1904). Folio. In 11 issues (including the
supplement) with 100 very beautiful (chromo)lithographs, photographic reproductions and combinations
of the these. Some plates with overlays. All in original
pictorial wrappers. In two original green pictorial cloth
portfolios with art-nouveau cover.
$4500
= First edition in issues of this famous and marvelous work.
It had a considereble influence on decorative design in the
“Jugendstil” or “Art Nouveau” period during the beginning
of this century and depicts fantastic, real forms and structures found in animal and plant life on all these very special
plates. This book is hard to find in a very good condition.
I discovered that some of the plates are actually a combination of several printing techniques. There are plates that
have a combination of lithography and photographic repro-
it is stated that there was only one edition, with differently
dated title pages only. Sabin (vol. 8, pp. 239-240) describes
this (1651) edition, and suggests that it may be a remainder
of the 1628 edition. Hence this edition is described variously
as the second or third. It contains the three dedications to
Cardinal Barberini, which were omitted in some copies.
Nissen BBI (p. 80) and ZBI (p. 198) reports another 1651
edition, published by Deversini & Masotti under a different
title. All are rare. Vellum broken at hinges, but bookblock
intact. Pages 99-100 and 105-106 switched, pages 373-384
bound between 360-361; 500 mispaginated as 400, 698 as
968, 929 as 919; some text sections browned, one leaf with a
short tear but in all a remarkably well-preserved copy of this
rare and important work. Nissen BBI, 861; Nissen ZBI, 1908
[Animalia Mexica part only], 1908a.
duction, which I have rarely seen before. The portfolio boxes
are in a fine condition with only some minimal unobtrusive
markings. Original velvet strings still present. The wrappers of the issues are completely intact, which is almost
never the case. The interior is fine and fresh. Added is a fine
printed photograph of Ernst Haeckel taken by Friedrich
Haack, Grossherzoglichen Hofphotograph, Jena. Copyright
1905 by Dr. W. Koehler, Gera-Untermhaus. Overall this is a
near mint copy, very rare in this state. Nissen ZBI, 1783.
[39] Herschel, William Astronomical Observations on the Rotations of the
Planets round their Axes, made with a View to determine whether the Earth’s diurnal Motion is perfectly
equable. London, Philosophical transactions of the Royal
Society, 1781. pp. 115-138 , plus two foldout plates. A rare
original issue of this paper, taken from the Philosophical
Transactions for the year 1781 (so not from the later
abridged edition). Recent brown marbled wrappers in
contemporary style.
$385
= Rare early paper by William Herschel on the revolving
motion of the Earth and planets. In very good condition.
Houzeau & Lancaster, Vol. II, p. 610.
A treasury of pre-Columbian
ethnopharmacology
Fabulous, original butterfly plates by Jacob
Hübner and Carl Geyer
[38] Hernandez, F. Rerum medicarum Novae Hispaniae thesaurus seu plantarum animalium mineralium mexicanorum historia ex
Francisci Hernandez Noui Orbis medici primarii relationibus in ipsa Mexicana urbe conscriptis a Nardo Antonio
Reccho Monte Coruinate Cath. Maiest. medico et Neap.
Regni archiatro generali jussu Philippi II. Hisp. Ind. etc.
Regis collecta ae in ordinem digesta a Ioanne Terrentio
Lynceo Constantiense Germ.o Pho ae medico notis
illustrata. Roma, Vitali Mascardi, 1651. Thick folio (32.4 x
21.6 x 8.0 cm). Engraved title page with a map of Mexico,
[xiv], 950, [ii], 90, [vi], [xiv], [v] pp., numerous woodengravings in the text, several woodengraved headpieces.
Contemporary vellum.
$19,800
= This is the magnum opus of Francisco Hernández de
[40] Hübner, J. [AND] C. Geyer Butterfly drawings collection. Not published, around
1815. An original manuscript of butterfly plates, totalling
65 sheets (24 x 19 cm; or 24 x 38 cm) [AND] a collection of
15 loose sheets (various sizes) with fine butterfly drawings.$10,000
Toledo (1514-1587) a naturalist, medical botanist, and court
physician to Philip II, King of Spain. “In 1570 Hernández was
ordered to embark on the first scientific mission in the New
World, a study of the region’s medicinal plants. Accompanied
by his son Juan, he traveled for seven years collecting
and classifying specimens, interviewing the indigenous
people through translators and conducting medical studies in Mexico. He was assisted by three indigenous painters
(baptized, Antón, Baltazar Elías and Pedro Vázquez respectively), who prepared illustrations” (Wikipedia). In this
work, Hernández describes the then nearly unknown trees
and herbs of Mexico and their medical use, as well as many
animals, in particular birds and mammals, indigenous to
Central America, including the Aztek names. “The work
is a a treasury of pre-Columbian ethnopharmacology, and
often the best or only source of knowledge of the medical
and herbal practices of the Aztec civilisation” (Watson). All
are well-illustrated in over 800 fine woodcuts. The sumptuously illustrated Latin edition was first printed in 1628 but
remained undistributed. New preliminaries were printed
in 1648 and then probably three editions (1648, 1649, 1651)
were published by Mascardi in Rome, although sometimes
= This item consists principally of an anonymous, large,
lepidopterological manuscript atlas. The illustrations of
diurnal macrolepidoptera are of an amazing high quality, in
detailling and colouring. The venes, antennae, and bodies
are exceedingly accurate; the colouring and shading is quite
subtle and natural, using silver in places. The captions are in
a very fine calligraphy. The butterfly names are in Latin, but
some text show that the author was from a German speaking country. At first it seems possible that they are made
by Roesel van Rosenhof, or Kleemann, and were precursory
to the published versions. At least one leaf in particular is
indicative: it shows the adult, caterpillar, and pupa of the
black-veined white, Papilio (now Aporia) crataegi, and host
plant; the latter two in an exact mirror image of the published
plate. All leaves are from the same source. At least one has
the watermark “Franciscus primus” and “Ingau”, with the
emperor’s head within a laurel wreath. The hair-style of the
figure suggests Franz I, emperor of the Holey Roman Empire
between 1745 and 1765. However, a few others have the
watermark of the Bohemian papermill Kottenschlos, which
became active in 1785 (see Einiger), and therefore excludes
Roesel, who died in 1759, and probably also Kleemann, who
died in early 1789. Moreover, in the published works, Roesel
and Kleemann opted, as then customary, for showing the
inside and outside of the wings of macrolepidoptera in two
separate drawings, whereas the original watercolours show
the outside of one wing, next to but separated from the body
and inside of the other wing; this space-saving and identification-enhancing convention was probably invented by
Eugen Johann Christoph Esper (1742-1810), but only became
popular later, in the 19th century, e.g. by Christian Friedrich
Freyer. Therefore, a second, more promising clue is the fact
that species are figured under names introduced by Hübner
(e.g. Papilio bryonia, which dates from 1806; and P. carthami,
which dates from 1813, or that have never been published at
all, such as P. coritalia). Indeed the neat handwritten captions
are very similar to those illustrated in Hemming. In fact,
although the manuscript much resembles some published
works of Esper, the inclusion of P. carthami excludes Esper
as the artist. Although the butterflies are European, it is
not the manuscript to Hübner’s Sammlung europäischer
Schmetterlinge. A typical plate contains Papilio rumina
L., 1758, P. medesicaste Illiger, 1803, and P. polyxena Denis
& Schiffermüller, 1775; species not on the same plate in
Hübner’s and Geyer’s work (viz. plates 78 and 124; 124; 78
respectively). We conclude that this work is an unpublished
manuscript by Jacob Hübner (1761-1826). In total there are 41
leaves of diurnal butterflies. All have the fine, calligraphic
captions. Someone has added numbers to the leaves (light
pencil, top right margin), but this numbering is not subsequent. Next to this, there are also 24 unnumbered leaves
with moths. These are in the same style, with caption and
numbering to most, but several with only a few images, or
some images in pencil outline only, and without caption.
Apparantly the work was never completed. The second set of
drawings consist of 15 leaves of different sizes and types of
paper, with extremely well-illustrated butterflies, executed
with the use of many shades, and hightened with silver and
gum arabic. Several have annotions in a small, light, pencil
hand, pointing to anatomical/morphological details. On the
verso of one we find the note “Geyers Malereien exotischer
Falter”, which suggests that these drawing were supposed
to be for an unpublished work by Hübner’s successor, Carl
Geyer (1796-1841), who completed some of Hübner’s work,
but did not publish anything on his own. Horn-Schenkling,
pp. 418, 584-586; G. Einiger, The ancient paper-mills of the
former Austro-Hungarian Empire and their watermarks;
F. Hemming, “Hübner. A bibliographical and systematic
account of the entomological works of Jacob Hübner and of
the supplements thereto by Carl Geyer, Gottfried Franz von
Frölich and Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer”.
[41] Kashchenko, N. O. Skeletdje mamoeta. [A mammoth skeleton with traces of
dietary utilisation by humans] St. Petersburg, l’Académie
Inpériale des Sciences de St.-Pétersbourg, 1901. Large 4to.
60 pp., seven plates, of which two partly tinted with map
and profiles, the others with photos. Original printed
wrappers.$650
= Rare, detailed monograph on the famous well-preserved
“Kashchenko” woolly mammoth carcass. The find, in 1896,
accompagnied by stone age tools is extensively described
and figured, with much information on the actual excavation process. The taphonomy and the composition of the
well-preserved skeletal remains are strong evidence for
active hunting and scavenging by humans. In other words,
this is (perhaps the first) proof of ice-age Man butchering
a mammoth. Published in the Academy’s Mémoires. This
is the very rare offprint. Wrapper outer edges a bit soiled
but otherwise a very good clean, unmarked copy. Neither in
Nissen ZBI, nor in Wood.
[42] Ledermüller, M. Physikalisch-Mikroskopische
Zergliederung
und
Vorstellung
einer
sehr
kleinen
Winterknospe
des Hippocastani seu Esculi, oder des wilden
Rosskastanienbaum. Beobachtet den 12. Jener 1764. WITH:
Physikalisch-Mikroskopische Zergliederung des Korns
oder Rokens; nebst der Beobachtung seines Wachsthums,
AND Physikalisch-Mikroskopische Vorstellung und
Zergliederung einer angeblichen Rokenpflanze, das
Staudten, Stek- oder Gerstenkorn insgemein genannt.
Woden die Embryonen der noch zarten und kaum 4.
Wochen alten Aerhe, mit ihrem Keim, dann Blüht und
Befruchtungs-Theilen, ingleichen die Aehnlichkeit des
Roken und Gerstengrases mit seiner Blüht und Frucht,
sowohl natürlich als vergrössert sich abgebildet befinden: als der zugesicherte und verlangte Schluss des
Zergliederten Kekens. Samt III nach der Natur sorgfältigst
mit Farben erleuchteten saubern Kupfertafeln. Nürnberg:
A. W. Winterschmidt (1764-1765). Folio (38.5 x 24.5 cm). 3
parts bound in 2: 8 pp. of text, 3 fine hand-coloured plates;
12 + 12 pp. of text, 4 + 3 fine hand-coloured plates and
two nice pastoral and allegorical vignettes on the dedication pages. All 3 parts complete. Contemporary boards
(matching in material, size and colour)
$5900
= First (and only) edition of these very rare titles. The plates
were drawn by Ledermüller himself and engraved by Adam
Ludwig Wirsing. All plates clean, with the colouring bright
and vivid. A complete and, apart from some staining to
one of the boards and faintly to one title page, a very wellpreserved copy. Nissen 1157-1159; Poggendorff vol. 1 , 1403.
[43] Leibniz, G. Protogaea sive de prima facie telluris et antiquissimae
historiae vestigiis in ipsis naturae monumentis dissertatio. Ex schedis manuscriptis in lucem edita a Christ.
Ludovica Scheidio. Goettingae, {Göttingen], I. G. Schmidt,
1749. 4to. Title page in red and black, with engraved armo-
rial vignette; [ii], xxvi, [ii], 86 pp.; four engraved headand tailpieces; and 12 large, folded engraved plates.
Contemporary blind paper-covered boards.
$3200
est is the ostrich (the largest living species of bird) at 10.5
cm and the smallest is the hummingbird (among the smallest living species of bird) at 3.7 cm. Each bird has its name
on the bottom of the engraving, in French and English. A
complete list of the birds is as follows: cock, colibri, combattant, cormorant, eagle, falcon, golden pheasant, goldfinch,
heron, hummingbird, jaseur, kite, loriot, magpie, ostrich,
partridge, pelican, penguin, pic, quail, raven, red ibis, spheniscus, stork, swan, and turkey. Many of the species of birds
represented here are ubiquitous, and birds from nearly every
part of the planet are represented, including birds of prey,
seabirds, domestic birds, etc., but some of them are exclusive
to specific continents, like hummingbirds (Americas), and
the ostrich (Africa). This early paper box is a lovely decorative object for its wonderful and colourful paper figures,
and is also interesting because it was probably a didactical
game for the teaching of ornithology and natural history.
Most of the paper birds are in good condition. Some of them,
however, have some weak parts, especially the smaller parts
like the beak or neck. A few of them have the printed part
slightly thumbed, and two of them have the loss of one letter
in one of the two names. Some traces of old glue are present
= Rare “first edition” of this great geological and palaeonto-
logical classic. The fine plates include a fossil “unicorn”, and
many fossil shells and shark teeth. It was published by this
important mathematician and physiologist, who accepted
in his “Protogaea” the Cartesian view, that primitive matter
has a fluid consistency owing to the tremendous initial heat
and that the earth’s spherical form was derived from the
aggregation of whirling ultimate elements or “monads” of
matter. In place of the Cartesian principle of momentum,
Leibniz starts from a dynamical basis and assumes a force
which accomplished the separation of light from darkness or as he also expressed it the separation of the more
“active” elements of the universe from the more “passive”
(see Zittel). The part dealing with mineralogy is much
more practical as he became acquainted with the mines of
the Harz in Germany and he gives account of the mode of
occurences of metals, minerals and fossils in Hannover and
Brunswick (see also Zittel). The first description during his
lifetime (1646-1716) was published on pp. 40-42 (but barely
more than one full page of text) of the Acta Eruditorum
in 1693 without the plates; this edition was posthumously
published in 1749. A very good, clean copy. Nissen ZBI, 2428;
Zittel, Hist. of Geology, pp. 27-28; Norman, 1328; not in Ward
and Carozzi.
[44] « Les oiseaux. Birds »
No date [ca. 1870]. Rectangular cardboard box (23.1 x 15.7
x 3.2 cm), covered in luxury paper with a hand-coloured
pictorial cover showing a peacock on a tree, with a gilt
embossed paper border. The sides of the box are covered
with special light blue paper that, especially if viewed
under a light, show flower decorations. The bottom of the
cover is covered with nice light green paper typical of the
period around 1840-1870. Inside the box is covered with
light yellow paper. Contains 26 hand-coloured cutouts of
engraved birds with their names captioned in French and
English, each with a small supporting woodblock. $1750
= A peculiar and very rare object that we have never
encountered before, and of which there are no images or
references anywhere on the internet. Inside the box are 26
lovely, engraphed birds on wooden bases. The engravings
are hand-coloured, heightened with gum arabic. The tall-
on the backs of the figures and near the wooden bases. The
box is strong, intact, only very slightly soiled. A lovely and
extremely rare early paper game, likely to be used by children and therefore unlikely to survive intact. All birds are
intact, and in remarkable condition. Of interest not only for
paper games collectors, but also for natural history collectors and ornithologists.
[45] « Lot of original press and propaganda photographs »
China, circa 1955-1975. 26 original Chinese b/w photographs (of the same size; approximately 18.0 x 14.0 cm
each). In envelope.
$1250
= This is a set of 26 propaganda photographs of events during
the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution. 22
photos show farmers, workers, and soldiers in proud and
happy stances, reaping the harvest, building the nation,
protecting the country; apparently all is staged. Four more
photos are genuine news photos of big parades, prominently featuring numerous portraits of Chairman Mao,
but also portraits of Stalin, Ho Chi Min, and others. Three
photos show Tiananmen Square, the fourth perhaps was
taken elsewhere in Beijing. A few small scratches on some
photos, but otherwise all photos clean, sharp and with good
contrast. A unique set.
[46] Lyongrün, A. Vorbilder für Kunstverglasungen im stile der Neuzeit.
Entwuerfe für Treppen- und Salonfenster, Vorsetzer,
Lünetten, Rosetten, Oberlichte zur Ausführung in
Kathedral-, Opalescent- und anderen Glassorten von
Arnold Longrün. Erste Serie 16 Farbentafeln. Berlin,
Bruno Hessling, 1900. Folio (48.0 x 33.9 cm). Title page,
[iv] pp., 16 large chromolithographed plates in original
pictorial portfolio with Jugendstil ornaments and lettering on the front board, and cloth spine.
$1850
= An influentual and beautifully illustrated work on stained
glass (leaded glass). The rear board contains a list of publi-
[37, index] pp. (pagination errors: 19 for 18, 198 for 210, 208
for 308, and 405 for 406). Fine 17th century full calf with
crowned monograms to spine compartments.
$26,500
= Rare first Frankfurt edition, contemporarily coloured, of
cations of “Bruno Hessling Buchhandlung für Architektur
und Kunstgewerbe”. The firm had two addresses, one in
Berlin, and one on East 12th St., Manhattan, and must have
been a bridgehead in America for influential European art
movements. For instance, the influence on the design of
Tiffany lamps seems evident. Lyongrün’s designs seems
to be derived, in part, from the works of the influential
Jugendstil artist Anton Seder. Some very light soiling and
discolouring to the plate edges, otherwise a fine, brightly
coloured set. Rare. Schneider-Henn, 206.
[47] Mantell, G. A. Die denkmünzen der Schöpfung oder erster Unterricht in
de Geologie, und in dem Studium der organischen Reste.
Deutsch bearbeitet von K. F. A. Hartmann. Erster Band.
Fossile Pflanzen, Infusorien, Zoophyten, Echinodermen
und Mollusken. [AND] Zweiter Band. Fossile
Cephalopoden, Crustaceeen, Insecten, Fische, Reptilien,
Vögel, und Säugethiere. Freiberg, J. G. Engelhardt, 1846.
Two volumes in two. Small 8vo. 916 pp. (I: xiv, 448; II: iv,
450 pp.); 78 plates (of which four in chromolithography,
finished by hand, of which two acting as frontispieces to
both volumes). Original iridescent full cloth; spines with
gilt ornaments and title. Marbled edges.
$850
= The rare German translation of Mantell’s “The medals of
Camerarius’ version of Mattioli’s great herbal. This edition
contains the Gesner/Camerarius suite of woodcuts. Gesner
had been preparing material for a massive historia plantarum but died before finishing the task; Camerarius acquired
the material, used Gesner’s woodcuts and supplemented
them with his own. They are remarkable in their scientific
detail, especially the enlarged depictions of floral structure,
seeds, and fruit. This is the first time that such representation was consistently followed, and marks the beginning of
what much later became a convention in scientific botanical
illustration, when the taxonomic importance of these details
was fully appreciated. They first appeared in Camerarius’
recension of Mattioli’s “De plantis epitome utilissima” of
the same year (which is a different text than the above, and
not merely a Latin version of the same). In addition to the
botanical woodcuts, the German edition contains seven
woodcuts of distilling apparatuses. In the Vorred (preface), Camerarius describes in detail the edition history of
this book, and of the woodblocks in particular. Not all of
the Gesner woodblocks were finished when Camerarius set
out to edit Mattioli’s text. In supervising the cutting of the
already executed designs of the blocks, he took great care
Rare first Frankfurt edition in fine,
contemporary colouring
in assuring they were botanically correct. He gives a list
of woodcuts already finished, but not botanically correct,
and describes how the depicted configurations and shapes
of leaves differ from nature. The fine title woodcut has,
within an oval at top, a female figure seated and feeding
a snake, with the motto “Bonae Valetudini Digatum”; on
bottom there is another oval containing a fine small agricultural scene, with a tree surrounded by a woven fence and
the motto, “Wan Gott Wil / Spes”, the whole surrounded by
another motto, “Omnia Florebunt Pros piciente Deo”; the
compartment is inscribed at the bottom left with “C. S.”, and
on the right with “I. A.” With the engraved book plate of
Fridericus Christophorus Langetl, Iuris Vtriusq. Doctor, and
an inscription on the bottom of the book-plate dated 1682
(probably bound then). The lower margin of the index was
repaired with old paper before the book was bound due
to natural wear to these pages at the bottom. Small damp
stain to the inner bottom margin of the first ten leaves, some
very light and uniform browning throughout. A fine and
completely unrestored copy of this rare first edition. Nissen
BBI, 1311 (erroneously stating 360 pp.).
[48] Mattioli, P. A. Kreutterbuch jetzt widerumb mit viel schönen neuwen
Figuren, auch nützlichen Artzneyen, und andern guten
stücken, auss sonderm fleiss gemehret, und verfertiget
durch Joachimum Camerarium. Frankfurt am Main,
Feyerabend, 1586. Large folio (36.8 x 23.5 cm). ff [8], 460,
[49] Maxwell, C. On the theory of compound colours and the relations of
the colours of the spectrum. London, Taylor & Francis,
1860. 4to. 28 pp., two engraved plates. Original printed
wrappers.$540
= The definitive publication by James Clerk Maxwell (1831-
creation”, first published in 1844 and dedicated to Charles
Lyell, and translated by the German geologist, mineralogist
and mining engineer Karl Friedrich Alexander Hartmann
(1796-1863). All the plates show fossils. Ward and Carozzi
mentioned a second, entirely rewritten English edition
published in 1853. Both are also rare, especially in a good
state. Of the German edition, OCLC reports only two copies
in the U.S. Provenance: the name Eduard Erdmann and date
1870 handwritten on the front free endpapers. Possibly this
is the German minister and Hegelian philosopher [Johann]
Eduard Erdmann (1805-1892) (see: http://sundoc.bibliothek.
uni-halle.de/nachlaesse/erdmann/Erdmann.pdf). A very
good, handsome set. Ward and Carozzi, 1486 (first English
edition); 1487 (second edition).
1879) on his theory of colour, in which the mixture of three
primary colours are sufficient to account for all perceived
hues. “Maxwell contributed to the field of optics and the
study of colour vision, creating the foundation for practical colour photography. From 1855 to 1872, he published
at intervals a series of valuable investigations concerning the perception of colour, colour-blindness, and colour
theory...” (Wikipedia). This is the entire volume 150, part I
of the “Philosophical Transactions” of the Royal Society for
the year MDCCCLX. Small circular stamp of the “Science
Museum Library” placed neatly in the lower margin of the
front wrapper and volume’s title page; partly handwritten
library label on front wrapper verso. Wrappers detached,
lower edge slightly damp stained, otherwise very good.
[50] Mingaud, [F.] Noble jeu de billard. Coups extraordinaires et surprenants, qui ont fait l’admiration de la majeure partie des
souverains de l’Europe. Exécutés par Mr. Mingaud,
ancien capitaine d’Infanterie au service de France. [Paris],
Privately published, 1827. Folio (36.0 x 23.5). [ii] pp., title
page; fourty engraved and partially hand-coloured
plates. 20th century mottled half calf over marbled
boards. Spine with gilt title. Marbled endpapers; original
blind wrappers bound in.
$4000
= “The noble game of billiards” First, and very rare publi-
cation on the (litterally) revolutionary invention of the
leather cue tip, which turned billiard from an obscure
pasttime of the rich into a world-wide craze. Probably less
than 100 copies were printed. François Mingaud (17711847) “...was an infantry officer in the French army and a
carom billiards player. He is credited as the inventor of the
leather tip for a billiards cue, a “possibly not original idea”
that he perfected whilst imprisoned in Paris for political
outspokenness. This revolutionized the game of billiards,
allowing the cue ball to be finely manipulated by the application of spin. In 1807 he was released from prison and
began to demonstrate his invention and spin technique in
Paris. Part of his showmanship involved feigning extreme
horror as the cue ball recoiled towards him after striking
the object ball, and then persuading the audience that the
balls should be seized and condemned because they were
“tormented by a devil”. Mingaud is also credited with the
discovery that by raising the cue vertically he could perform
what is now known as a massé shot” (Wikipedia). “How
astonished were the billiard players and the billiard table
manufacturers of Mingaud’s day, by the results of his invention! ... When the independent amateurs of Paris saw the
practical operation of Mingaud’s discovery-when they saw
the ordinary laws of motion apparently reversed in obedience to the whim of the person wielding the (then modern)
cue-when they saw him, with a perfect mastery of his own
ball, sometimes force it to describe a curve around a hat
placed in the middle of the board-sometimes compel it to
make angles diametrically opposed to the ordinary laws as
hitherto expounded and believed-when they saw the same
ball apparently possessing scarce enough force to arrive
at a cushion, suddenly gather strength at the moment of
impact, and fly off with increasing velocity. When they saw
these things, we say, it seemed to them like magic, and it
was lucky for Mingaud that the statutes against sorcery had
been repealed before his day” (Michael Phelan; the “Father
of American Billiards”, 1859). On fourty plates, each with a
top-view of a billard table, with balls, trajectories and script
captions, the various shots and effects are demonstrated
and explained. Wikipedia erroneously records “43 copper
plates”. The French Billard association gives 1831 as the real
year of publication, without further evidence (http://www.
ffbillard.com/pages/les-origines-du-billard-4.html).
This
seems to be incorrect as well. An English translation was
published in 1836. This copy contains a list with 92 subscribers, and given its rarety it seems that only the subscribers
received a copy, with perhaps only a few additional copies
being printed. Subscription list front edge cut short with
loss of a few letters, and with skilful paper repair to this
end; title page and all the plates clean; the plates with wide
margins. A nice copy of this rare work. Not in Brunet.
[51] Nissen, C. Tierbücher aus fünf Jahrhunderten. 60 Originalblätter
aus Werken deutscher, englischer, französischer, italianischer, niederländischer und Schweizer Offizinen des
15.-19. Jahrhunderts. Mit Einführung und Bibliographie.
Zürich, Olten, and München, l’Art Ancien, Weiss-Hesse,
and Robert Wölfe, 1968. Folio (48.0 x 35.0 cm). Title
page, index; Sixty-two portfolio sheets, with original
pages from famous zoological works [one double-sized,
unnumbered; the others matted, and numbered 1-27, 28a,
28b, 29-60] in an original cloth dropbox, together with an
explanatory book (115 pp., printed softcover) in a pocket
inside the box, mounted to the upper cover.
$2800
= This one of a limited series; however, it is not from the
“ordinary” series of 200 numberered copies (100 in English,
100 in German). Probably it is a “Subskriptionsexemplar”,
which was numbered in Roman numerals, this one with a
“u”, apparently standing for “v”. Two pages are from incunabulae, of which one hand-coloured; one is a post-incunabule; nine or ten are later 16th century. Of Von Schreber,
there are two, different, plates, numbered 28 a and b. This is
seldom recorded. The unnumbered double-sized plate has a
mounted facsimile of the 6th century codex published as the
“Wiener Dioskurides”. In general, the quality of the plates
is very good. Many zoological groups are represented but
there is some emphasis on reptiles, birds, and butterflies.
Today, this work is rarely seen. A mint copy.
[52] Oppian (Oppianus of Corycus) De piscatu libri V. De venetione libri IIII. De piscatu libri
V. Laurentio Lippio interprete. De venetione libri IIII. ita
conversi, ut singula verba singulis respondeant. In corum
gratiam qui Graeca cum Latinis coniungere volunt. Paris,
Adrin Turne, Guillaume Morel, 1555. 4to. Title page with
engraved vignette, [ii], 214 pp. (Greek text), half-title, title
page with engraved vignette, [iv], 202 pp. (Latin text). 17th
century full mottled calf. Spine with five raised bands,
morocco label with gilt title. Blue endpapers. All edges
red.$1350
= The first Latin translation, and modern print of the Greek
original. “Oppian of Corycus (or Anazarbus) in Cilicia,
who flourished in the reign of Marcus Aurelius. According
to an anonymous biographer, his father, having incurred
the displeasure of Lucius Verus, the colleague of Marcus
Aurelius, by neglecting to pay his respects to him when he
visited the town, was banished to Malta. Oppian, who had
accompanied his father into exile, returned after the death of
Verus (169) and went on a visit to Rome. Here he presented
his poems to Marcus Aurelius, who was so pleased with
them that he gave the author a piece of gold for each line,
took him into favor and pardoned his father. Oppian subsequently returned to his native country, but died of the plague
shortly afterwards, at the early age of thirty. His contemporaries erected a statue in his honor, with an inscription
which is still extant, containing a lament for his premature
death and a eulogy of his precocious genius. His poem
on fishing (Halieutica), of about 3500 lines, [is] dedicated
to Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus” (wikipedia).
Small former owners bookplate on the front pastedown,
some scattered spotting, but generally in very good condition. Dean III, p. 295; Westwood & Satchell, p. 163.
[53] d’Orbigny, A. D. Voyage dans l’Amérique méridionale (le Brésil, la république orientale de l’Uruguay, la république Argentine,
la Patagonie, la république du Chili, la république de
Bolivia, la république du Perou). Exécuté dans le cours
des années 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832 et
1833. Atlas zoologique. Mollusques. Paris, P. Bertrand;
Strasbourg, V. Levrault, 1840-[1847]. With 79 (of 86) lithographed and mostly handcoloured plates. In recent portfolio with paper boards and title on the spine.
$1150
= A complete set of the scientific results of Alcide d’Orbigny’s
seven years of travel and exploration in South America is a
true rarity, and even the individual parts are all very rare
because the production of this work, which started two
years after his return in 1835, took 15 years before completion. This is the near-complete atlas of the “Mollusques”,
with plates 1-76, 79-80, lacking only a few plates at the end,
viz., 77-78, and 81-85. Most plates are in a very good condition, and extremely well-coloured. The numbering of plate
38 corrected to 36; the two different plates 41 corrected to
41a, and 41b (recte 41, 41bis). One plate with small paper loss
in the margin. A very good, clean set of plates of this fabulous work. Nissen ZBI, 3021.
[54] d’Orbigny, A. D. Voyage dans l’Amérique méridionale (le Brésil, la république orientale de l’Uruguay, la république Argentine,
la Patagonie, la république du Chili, la république de
Bolivia, la république du Perou). Exécuté dans le cours
des années 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832 et
1833. Atlas. Palmiers. Paris, P. Bertrand; Strasbourg, V.
Levrault, 1842-1847. Folio (33.8 x 24.5 cm). 22 lithographed
and finely handcoloured plates, numbered 1-13; 15-24 (all
published). Loose in a nice contemporary style papercovered portfolio with title on the spine.
$1800
= These are all the plates of the palms in Alcide d’Orbigny’s
magnum opus. A complete set of the scientific results of
d’Orbigny’s seven years of travel and exploration in South
America is a true rarity, and even the individual parts are
all very rare, because the production of this work, which
started two years after his return in 1835, took 15 years
before completion. The palm trees formed a separate subsection (tome troisième, 3.e partie) of this work. Plate numbers
14 and 15 were not used. The first 13 plates show the trees
in appropriate landscapes, often with some indigenous
people and mammals, apparently for comparing the size
of the trees. The other plates show taxonomically imporant
plant details, such as the fruits, leaves, etc. The colouring
is superb. A very good, clean set of plates of this fabulous
work. Nissen BBI, 1471; Stafleu & Cowan, 7095.
[55] d’Orbigny, A. D. Voyage dans l’Amérique méridionale (le Brésil, la république orientale de l’Uruguay, la république Argentine,
la Patagonie, la république du Chili, la république de
Bolivia, la république du Perou). Exécuté dans le cours
des années 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832 et 1833.
Atlas. Reptiles. Paris, P. Bertrand; Strasbourg, V. Levrault,
1835-1844. Folio (33.8 x 24.9 cm). Nine lithographed, handcoloured plates (numbered 1-6; 13-15) (all published).
Contemporary style grained green half calf over green
marbled boards. Gilt title on the spine.
$1750
= These are all the plates of the reptiles, turtles, and amphibians in Alcide d’Orbigny’s magnum opus. A complete set
of the scientific results of d’Orbigny’s seven years of travel
and exploration in South America is a true rarity, and even
the individual parts are all very rare because the production of this work, which started two years after his return
in 1835, took 15 years before completion. The fine plates
are by Prêtre, Oudart, Bertrand and others. Plate numbers
7-12 were not used. Vanzolini mentions only seven plates;
Nissen’s collation is correct. Most species were described as
new by Bibron or d’Orbigny himself, although due to the
long period of publication, some were already published
elsewhere. The colouring is superb. A very good, clean set
of plates of this fabulous work. Nissen ZBI, 3021; Vanzolini,
p. 68.
[56] d’Orbigny, A. D. Voyage dans l’Amérique méridionale (le Brésil, la république orientale de l’Uruguay, la république Argentine,
la Patagonie, la république du Chili, la république de
Bolivia, la république du Perou). Exécuté dans le cours
des années 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832 et
1833. Atlas. Crustacés. Paris, P. Bertrand; Strasbourg,
V. Levrault, 1847. Folio (33.8 x 25.1 cm). 18 lithographed
and finely handcoloured plates, numbered: 1-7, 7bis, 8,
8bis, 9-11, and 13-17 (all published). Later paper-covered
boards. Spine with gilt lines and title. Speckled edges.
$1200
= These are all the plates of the crabs and lobsters in Alcide
d’Orbigny’s magnum opus. A complete set of the scientific
results of d’Orbigny’s seven years of travel and exploration in South America is a true rarity, and even the individual parts are all very rare because the production of this
work, which started two years after his return in 1835, took
15 years before completion. The lobsters occupy one plate,
all the others show crabs. A plate 12 was never issued. The
colouring is superb; quite subtle and where necessary hightened with silver and gom arabic. Many species are new and
all are well-recognizable from these original illustrations. A
very good, clean set of plates of this fabulous work. Nissen
ZBI, 3021.
[57] [Pascal, Blaise]. “Montalte, Louis de” Les provinciales ou lettres escrites par Louis de Montalte
à un provincial de ses amis et aux RR. PP. Jésuites: sur le
sujet de la morale, & de la politique de ces pères. [First
edition]. “Cologne” [Paris], Pierre de la Vallée, [1656]1657. 4to (23.0 x 17.2 cm). pp. i-xiii [title and Notice (in
first state)]; 1-8 (1st letter); 1-8 (2nd); 1-8 (answer from the
Provincial and 3rd letter); 1-8 (4th); 1-8 (5th); 1-8 (6th); 1-8
(7th); 1-8 (8th); 1-8 (9th); 1-8 (10th); 1-8 (11th); 1-8 (12th); 1-8
(Refutation of response of 12th letter); 1-8 (13th); 1-8 (14th);
1-8 (15th); 1-12 (16th); 1-8 (17th); 1-12 (18th). Fine full red
morocco with raised bands, gilt spine lettering, marbled
end-papers, all edges gilt, elaborately gilt blind-tooled
inner dentelles, engraved armorial book plate on front
board.$10,800
= The very rare first edition. “The Lettres provinciales
(Provincial letters) are a series of eighteen letters written
by French philosopher and theologian Blaise Pascal under
the pseudonym Louis de Montalte. Written in the midst of
the formulary controversy between the Jansenists and the
Jesuits, they are a defense of the Jansenist Antoine Arnauld
from Port-Royal-des-Champs, a friend of Pascal who in 1656
was condemned by the Faculté de Théologie at the Sorbonne
in Paris for views that were claimed to be heretical. The First
letter is dated January 23, 1656 and the Eighteenth March 24,
1657. A fragmentary Nineteenth letter is frequently included
with the other eighteen. In these letters, Pascal humorously
attacked casuistry, a rhetorical method often used by Jesuit
theologians, and accused Jesuits of moral laxity. Being
quickly forced underground while writing the Provincial
Letters, Pascal pretended they were reports from a Parisian
to a friend in the provinces, on the moral and theological
issues then exciting the intellectual and religious circles in
the capital. In the letters, Pascal’s tone combines the fervor
of a convert with the wit and polish of a man of the world.
Their style meant that, quite apart from their religious
influence, the Provincial Letters were popular as a literary
work. Adding to that popularity was Pascal’s use of humor,
mockery, and satire in his arguments. The letters also influenced the prose of later French writers like Voltaire and
Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Brilliantly written by Pascal, the
Provincial Letters would not have been possible without
the work of theologians from Port-Royal; indeed, most of
the arguments Pascal deployed were already to be found in
Arnauld’s Théologie morale des Jésuites, something which
led the Jesuit Nicolas Caussin to reply to Pascal’s perceived
libel. Pascal’s main source on Jesuit casuistry was Antonio
Escobar’s Summula casuum conscientiae (1627), several
propositions of which would be later condemned by Pope
Innocent XI. Paradoxically, the Provincial Letters were both
a success and a defeat: a defeat, on the political and theological level, and a success on the moral level. Thus, King Louis
XIV ordered that the book be shredded and burnt in 1660.
The final letter from Pascal, in 1657, had defied the Pope
himself, provoking Alexander VII to condemn the letters.
But that didn’t stop most of educated France from reading them. Moreover, even Pope Alexander, while publicly
opposing them, nonetheless was persuaded by Pascal’s
arguments. Just a few years later (1665-66, and then 1679),
Alexander condemned ‘laxity’ in the church and ordered a
revision of casuistical texts” (Wikipedia, partly after PMM).
This copy bound with “Nobilissimi Scutarii Blasii Pascalis
tumulus” (1662), pp. [1-2] 3-4; and with “l’Apologie pour les
casuists contre les calomnies des iansenistes: par un theologien & Professeur en droit Canon. Condamnée par nosseigneurs les prelats, & par la Faculté de Theologie de Paris”.
Paris, 1659. pp [i-iv], 1-191. In all a beautiful copy of Pascal’s
18 Provincial letters, bound in fine red morocco in 1865 by
Chambolle-Duru, for the collection of Benzon (?) and including two other rare works relating to Pascal. Further provenance: inscription to title ‘Ex libris Congregationis domus
Missionis Trecensis’, repeated on the 8th letter. PMM, 140.
[58] Pawlow, I. [P.] [Pavlov, I. P.] Vorlesungen über die Arbeit der Grosshirnhemisphären.
Autorisierte Übersetzung aus dem Russischen von Prof.
Dr. G. Volborth. Leningrad, Medizinischer Staatsverlag
d. R. S. F. S. R., 1932. 8vo. viii, 480 pp., some figures and
tables. Original blue cloth with gilt title on the front
board and spine. Original printed dustjacket, in transparent protective sleeve.
$850
= Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, “Genius of conditioned reflexes”
(Parry) was the first Russian scientist to receive the Nobel
Prize (1904). This is the rare first German edition of the original published in 1926-1927. It deals with Pavlov’s famous
lectures on the conditioned reflexes in dogs, with two illustrations of principle tests on pp. 27-28. The 23 lectures were
held in 1924. In his two prefaces, Pavlov added some new
facts, and, in the translator’s preface, some information
on Pavlov’s research after 1927. Extremely rare with original dustjacket. The cloth binding is therefore in pristine
condition, with the spine not faded, as in most copies. Dust
jacket with only some tiny marginal chips, contents clean,
unmarked. A near mint copy. Parry, pp. 78-89.
[59] Petit and Bisiaux Motifs de décorations. Première série de cinquante
planches en couleurs extraites de Journal-Manuel de
Peintures. Paris, A. Morel, 1862. Royal Folio (52.1 x 36.2
cm). Half-title and title page, 50 fine chromolithographed
plates on thick paper. Contemporary half calf over
marbled boards. Spine with five raised gilt-stippled and
gilt-bordered bands, gilt title. Marbled endpapers.
$2900
= A very rare and lavishly produced polychromatic work
showing the extravagant interior designs which epitomize
the eclectic period that bridged the gap between the rather
straightforward Louis XIII to XVIII styles and neoclassicism,
and the following Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Elements of
Egyptian, Roman and Islamic art are freely mixed with
Biedermeier images and Rococo ornaments. It forms a truly
unique display of the artistic taste of the period. However,
this work is an example of the quality of French colour-
printing as well: the quality of the colouring and the rendering of small details is superb. Little is known about the
authors. They were peintres-décorateurs but here they show
considerable skills in illustrating and printing. The periodical, Journal-Manuel de Peintures, was published by Morel
from 1853 onwards and continued for at least 20 years. Being
of a rather ephemeral nature, few parts with text pages are
on the market. As the title suggests, this work is probably
the separately published album of the full-colour plates also
published in this journal. Board edges a bit rubbed, some
age toning and spotting to some plate margins, but nowhere
obtrusive. We could only trace two copies in libraries worldwide. In all a very good copy of this very rare work.
[60] « Photo Album. Les forest de Cochinchine »
Vietnam, Duyen Ng, Ca. 1935. Oblong photo album (24.5
x 34.0 x 2.5 cm) with 29 mounted b/w photographs (each
ca. 22.5 x 16.5 cm). Cloth-covered boards with gilt lines
and gilt-titled morocco label mounted on the front board.
$2250
= The photographs show rivers and tropical lowland
forests, as well as villages - with large trees - and people in
“Cochinchine”; probably most, if not all, from the extreme
south of Vietnam, as one building bears a sign with “Nam.
Can.Ouest”, which is currently situated in the Vietnamese
province of Bac Lieu. The album deals with the lumber
trade, and several photographs are signed “Ng-Duyen”.
Duyen Ng is a common name in this area and could not be
traced to a particular photographer. Above the first photograph, someone has written in pencil “Album executé en
1935 quand j’étais garde de la Cochinchine”. Garde is the
French word for guard, but perhaps here it means forester.
Some photos a lightly toned, but generally in a very good
condition. A very nice, unique item.
[61] Pollacci, G. and A. Nannizzi I miceti patogeni dell’uomo e degli animali, descritti,
delineati e preparati per l’osservazione al microscopio,
con notizie sopra i rimedi per combatterli. Fasciculo I-X
(complete). Bologna, L. Cappelli, 1922-1930. Ten parts in
eight. Folio (28.0 x 21.8 cm). Text and 100 microscopic
slides with specimens under sealed cover slips, and
printed labels. Uniform dark green half cloth portfolios
with gilt lettering on the front boards, and small paper
label on the spines.
$3600
= A complete set of a very rare publication by the Italian
mycologists Gino Pollacci (1872-1963), and Arturo Nannazzi
(1877-1961). Each volumes contains ten different fungi
including a sample of the actual species, and a loose-leafed
illustrated text describing and illustrating each fungus, also
often including the fungus’ pathological effect on humans
and/or on cattle or other mammals, and fowl (and one,
number 61, botanical). Some parts have more general text
pages as well. Most illustrations are in black and white, but
full colour illustrations are present too. Part V has a general
index to the first five parts, Part X an index to all parts. The
name of the publisher, L. Cappelli, is pasted over another
name (S. Bernardino) on the title pages of the first six parts.
Parts VII-VIII, and IX-X are combined in two portfolios. One
board a bit rubbed, otherwise a near mint, complete set, with
all the slides intact. We could trace a few complete copies in
Italian libraries, but not even one elsewhere. Exceedingly
rare. Not in Volbracht.
[62] Preyssinger, L. Astronomischer
Bilder-Atlas.
(AND)
Populäre
Astronomie. Zugleich erläuternder text zu Prof. L.
Preyssinger’s Astronomischem Himmels-Atlas [sic].
Stuttgart, Wilhelm Nitzschke, no date [but 1853]. Atlas:
Folio-sized portfolio with 12 engraved and handcoloured cardboard plates [29,9 x 23,8 cm], some with cut
outs covered by different coloured sheets of transparent paper to let light shine through. Full colour pictorial
sheet pasted on front board (AND) Text by C. Schmetzer.
4to. 40 pp., printed wrappers.
$680
= Rare celestial atlas explaining the seasons on earth, the
phases of the moon, the movement of comets and their
tails, and other heavenly objects and events visible with
the naked eye or a small telescope. The earth is still shown
without the Antarctic continent. The twelve plates depict
the following: I. Die Central Sonne (an early map of the
Milky Way galaxy); II. Himmels-Karte; III. Darstellung des
Sonnensystems (with the planet orbits, and Halley’s comet);
IV. Vergleichende Darstellung der Grosse der Planeten
(and the bigger moons); V. Die Sonne und verschiedene
Erscheinungen derselben; VI. Der Mond durch das Fernrohr
gesehen; VII. Transparente Darstellung der Mondsphasen;
VIII. Finsternisse, and: Die ansicht von Ebbe & Fluth;
IX. Ansicht von den Jahreszeiten; X. Die Erde und Ihre
Atmosphäre (the earth’s crust shown as solid, with concentric rings); XI. Kometen und Aerolithen; XII. Abbildungen
der Meterologie die verschiedenen erscheinungen der
Atmosphare Darstellend (in b/w). The text explains in detail
the use of the cards and the objects dealt with, and probably dates from around 1875 on the basis of upcoming solar
eclipses. The text is the third, much enlarged edition. Spine
of portfolio with small tear, otherwise a very good copy,
rarely seen in a complete state.
[63] Rathke, [M.] H. Über die Entstehung und Entwickelung
der
Geschlechtstheile
bei
den
Urodelen.
Danzig,
Naturforschende Gesellschaft in Danzig, 1820; Halle,
Renger, 1824. 4to. 136 pp., three large, folded, engraved
plates with multiple illustrations. Contemporary half
vellum over marbled boards. Spine with handwritten
paper label.
$900
= An important work on the anatomy and embryology
of salamanders by the German zoologist and anatomist
Martin Heinrich Rathkte (1793-1860). “Together with Karl
von Baer, Christian Pander, and Mauro Rusconi ... Rathke
is recognized as one of the founders of modern embryology” (Adler). This work was his thesis, published in the
Neueste Schriften der naturforschenden Gesellschaft in
Danzig, of which Rathke was the editor and most important contributer. Here he is described as “Ausübendem
Arzte, Lehrer der Physik am Athenäum zu Danzig, und
Inspector am Museum der naturforschenden Gesellschaft
Hieselbst”. It contains two other works by Rathke, including
a large work on fish anatomy, “Über die Zeugungsorgane
der Fische”, and “Anatomie der Idotea entomon oder des
Schachwurmes”. The only other mayor contribution, written by Johann Heinrich Westphal (1794-1831), is astronomical, and deals with variable stars. The Rathke papers are
well-illustrated with finely engraved plates. Here, Rathke is
at the start of his career, and this is in fact the first of many
herpetological-anatomical works. Claus Nissen must have
overlooked this. Old library stamp on front free endpaper,
title pages, and on one text leaf. Some light foxing and agetoning, otherwise a very good, complete copy. Rare. Adler
2, p. 48; Not in Nissen.
[64] Richard, A. Voyage de la corvette l’Astrolabe exécuté pendant les
années 1826-1827-1828-1829 sous le commandement de
Jules Dumont d’Urville capitaine de Vaisseau. Essai d’une
flore de la Nouvelle-Zélande (AND) Sertum astrolabianum. Description des espèces nouvelles ou peu connues,
recueillies par M. Lesson jeune, chirurgien de la marine
royale, pendant la circumnavigation de la corvette
l’Astrolabe. Paris, J. Tastu, 1832-1834. 8vo (text) and folio
(atlas; 52.0 x 35.3 cm). lvi, 167, xvi, 376 pp.; title page,
plate explanation, one engraved title-vignette and 80
[41, 39] nicely engraved plates of which 12 are printed in
sepia colour and four are hand-coloured. Contemporary
uniform half red morocco over marbled boards. Spines
with five raised, gilt-ornamented bands and gilt title.
Marbled endpapers.
$4000
= The complete botanical section of the Dumont d’Urville
expedition as published in two monographs. It is regarded
as the finest work ever published on the flora of New
Zealand, and includes a great number of new species. The
botanists Pierre Adolphe Lesson (1805-1888) and Achille
Richard (1794-1852) jointly wrote the part on the botany of
New Zealand, while Richard alone was responsible for the
section describing the plants collected during the voyage at
other stations, especially at “Tonga-Tabou ou Archipel des
Amis”. The artists of the fine plates are Delile and Vauthier
and the engravers Massard, Legrand, Noiret, Schmelz, Visto
and others. The first engravings on algae and a fern are
tinted and very decorative. The text has been bound with
the earlier (1832) part on New Zealand last. Some light scattered foxing in the text. A small old stamp on the title pages
of the text volume. The title page, the list of plates and the
first six plates of the atlas affected by a water stain in the
right margin, not touching the image, however. Text pages
21-22 with a large, but clean tear (no loss of text). A good,
complete copy. DSB VII, p. 401; Nissen BBI, 555; Stafleu &
Cowan, 1556 (under Dumont d’Urville).
[65] Roesel van Rosenhof, A. A collection of curious insects. London, Laurie and
Whittle, 1794. Oblong small folio (23.2 x 29.3 cm). Twelve
finely engraved plates. 20th century half over marbled
boards. Spine with gilt title.
$2600
= The only English edition of Roesel von Rosenhof’s “Der
monatlich-herausgegebenen Insecten-Belustigung”, of
which the German original was published from 1740
onwards, and later much expanded by Roesel’s son-in-law
Kleemann. There is also a Dutch edition, which was never
completed. The British edition was limited to 12 plates, which
are all present. Lepidoptera feature most prominently, but
many beetles, grasshoppers, dragonflies and other insects
are included as well. The engravings were made by C. H.
Hemmerich, after drawings by Roesel. Hemmerich, here
also spelled Homerich, was an engraver from Nuremberg
who worked in London. He specialised in natural history
subjects. The captions are in English. Nissen erros in listing
a title page and 12 plates; the first plate is the title page. A
few tiny spots. A very good, clean copy. Exceedingly rare.
Hagen II, p. 84; Horn-Schenkling, 18267; Junk Rara, p. 162;
Nissen ZBI, 3466c.
[66] Röntgen, W. Ueber eine neue Art von Strahlen. (Vorläufige
Mittheilung). Würzburg, Sitzungsberichte der Physik.Med. Gesellschaft zu Würzberg, 1895 (1896). 9 pp.
[numbered 132-141], including several calculations.
Contemporary half cloth over marbled boards. Spine
with gilt title.
$2800
= The discovery and first announcement of X-rays, or Röntgen
rays, in the Sitzungsberichte of the society, year 1895, number
9: “Am 28. Dezember wurde als Beitrag eingereicht: W. C.
Röntgen: Ueber eine neue Art von Strahlen”. This discovery brought Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (1845-1923) the first
Nobel Prize in Physics (1901). The importance of this discovery was immediately understood and almost instantly this
paper was translated into English and republished in Nature
on the 23rd of January, 1896. The later Nature-edition is
better known in the English-speaking world. The publisher,
meanwhile, rushed out six editions of the offprint, enhancing the layout with each edition, adding printed wrappers,
then title pages, and then additional advertising bands, and
almost immediately announced translations into French,
Italian and English (Glasser, pp. 23-24). The offprints may
in fact be more common than the official publication in the
Sitzungsberichte. We offer the complete year 1895, bound
with the year 1894. The 1894 volume contains two more
papers by Röntgen, namely “Mitteilung einiger Versuche
mit einem rechtwinkeligen Glasprisma”, and “Ueber den
Einfluss des Druckes auf die Dielectricitäts Constanten
des Wassers und des Aethylalkohols (Schluss)”. Stamp on
the title of the 1895 volume, and vague stamp on the title of
the 1894 volume; otherwise a very good copy. Glasser 767
(with printing error “Dez. 1896” for “Dez. 1895”); PMM, 380;
Sparrow, 171.
[67] Ryff, W. H. and N. Ager Newe aussgerüste deütsche Apoteck: darinnen aller
fürnem[m]sten,
vnd
gebräuchlichsten
einfachen
Artzneyen, als Kräütter, Gewürtz, Mineralien, [et]c.
Natur vnd Vermögen, auch was von denselbigen allen
vnd jeden für apoteckische Stuck, vnd dergleichen vilfaltige Compositiones vnd Vermischungen, bereit werden
mögen, als Syrup, Latwergen, Confect, Conseruen,
gebrante Wasser, Kräutterwein, Essig, Oel, Pflaster,
Salben, [et]c. : vnd wie solche dem Menschen zu seiner
Gesundheit jeder Zeit zu gebrauchen seyen : item von
nutzlichem Gebrauch vnd ordenlicher Zubereitung
aller Laxatiuen oder purgierenden Artzneyen, einfacher
vnd vermischter, sam[m]t einem nutzlichen Regiment,
wie man sich in Sterbensläuffen vnd pestilentzischen
Febern, bewahren soll. Erste - Ander - Dritte Theil
[Der Volkomnen Teutschen Reformierten Apotecken].
(Complete). Strassburg, L. Zetzner, 1602. Folio [31.9 x 21.0
cm]. [vi (of 12)]; 1-721, [xxiv (indexes)], [ii (blank)], 1-303,
[viii]. With over 200 large, hand-coloured wood-engravings in the text. Contemporary full embossed calf. Spine
with five raised bands, blind embossed floral patterns,
gilt title and date. Brass clasps and hasps.
$3800
= A copy in fine, accurate, contemporary colouring of one
of the rarest and least-known German “Kräuterbücher”.
The basis of this work was laid by the German polymath
Walther Hermann Ryff (ca. 1500-pre 1562), and this first
subsequent edition was much expanded and updated by
the German medical doctor Nikolaus Ager, or Acker (15681634). “Ager studied medicine in Basel and became a medical doctor in Strasbourg, where he worked as a canon at St.
Thomas Church ... As a professor of medicine and botany
(1618), he described some new plants” (deutsche-bibliographie.de) Nissen BBI (1707) mentions only an earlier, much
smaller Ryff edition (1573; 422 pp.). OCLC records 21 copies,
worldwide, but none seem to be hand-coloured. The first,
and largest part contains the description of many plants and
discusses their medical use. The second part is a systematical arrangement of plant parts, such as leaves, berries,
fruits, etc., are collected in “grades”. It also includes descriptions of newly discovered exotic plants, including coffee
and tobacco. The third part deals with pills; their names,
contents, and manufacturing processes. The pagination of
the third part starts anew. As usual some defects due to age
and use: Lacking the title page and prelininary pages up to
the contents page. Old library stamp of a Brno school on the
front free endpaper and content page lower margin; outer
margin of a few leaves dampstained, but mostly clean, a few
small wormholes in the inner margin of a few leaves, some
marginal paper repairs, and some marginal paper loss to
the index leaves of the third part. Plant names in and old
hand added next to the figures. Upper clasp brass cover
missing. Otherwise a very good copy, with strong imprints
and neat, detailed hand-colouring. Not in Nissen BBI; not in
Stafleu and Cowan.
[68] San Martino, M. Pescatoria et ecloghe. [Venezia, Giolito de Ferrari, 1544 or
1566]. Small 8vo. [184] pp., contemporary vellum. Spine
with black morocco label and gilt title. Red and white
mottled edges.
$2000
= Apparently the first edition of this work in verse, perhaps
in the “tradition” of Oppian. Written by Matteo, conte
de (or di) San Martino (1494-1556), an Italian scholar and
linguist. According to Brunet, “Cette édition ne porte ni lieu
d’impression ni nom d’imprimeur, mais elle a sur le frontispiece le Phénix, marque Giotto de Venise”. Interestingly, a
smaller version of the same vignette is repeated on the errata
leaf verso. The publishing date is uncertain. Westwood and
Satchell date it from 1566, but 1544 has been mentioned as
well. Cancelled bookplate on front pastedown (Harvard
Library, from the bequest of Mary P. C. Nash in memory
of her husband Bennett Hubbard Nash, Instructor and
Professor of Italian and Spanish 1866-1894). Small cancelled
stamp on title page verso. Otherwise a very good clean
copy. Brunet V, p. 110 [14934]; Westwood & Satchell, p. 188.
Not in Dean.
One of the 18th century’s most splendid and
“largest” natural history achievements
[69] Seba, A. Locupletissimi rerum naturalium thesauri accurata
descriptio et iconibus artificiosissimus expressio per
universam physices historiam. Opus, cui, in hoc rerum
genere, nullum par exstisit. Ex toto terrarum orbe
collegit, digessit, descripsit, et depingendum curavit
Albertus Seba, Etzela Oostfrisius, Academiae Caesareae
Leopoldino Carolinae Naturae Curiosorum collega xenocratus dictus; Societatis Regiae Anglicanae, et Instituti
Bonensis, sodalis. Amsterdam, Jansson-Waesberg;
Arkstee, Merkus, and Petrus Schouten, 1765. Large folio
(54.0 x 36.0 cm). Half title (in French), title page printed
in red and black, with engraved allegorical vignette, text
with woodengraved initials, and allegorical vignettes.
viii, 42, 226 pp., including the Latin and French index to
the complete work, and 108 (most double-sized) handcoloured engraved plates. Contemporary half calf over
grained boards. Spine with seven slightly raised bands,
compartments with gilt floral pattern and title in French.
Marbled endpapers. Edges uncut.
$45,000
this is the fourth and last, edited by Aernout Vosmaer (17201799) assisted by Pallas and Houttuyn. This part deals with
fossils, minerals, and many insects in particular butterflies
“Among the butterflies and moths whose species could
be identified..., roughly half come from tropical South
America. 30% originate from the Indo-Australian tropics,
15% from Central Europe or Eurasia, 5% from Africa and 5%
are distributed over several continents” (Taschen reprint of
Seba’s work). All the figures are in contemporary colouring.
“Coloured copies cost fl. 200.00 per binding making Seba
the most expensive book in this period” (Landwehr, p. 185).
The colouring of the butterflies, beetles, etc., is exceptionally
fine and comparable to the copy signed by J. Fortuyn in the
Royal Library in The Hague. The colours used in both copies
are strikingly alike. The images of the butterflies depicted
in this volume belong to the most beautiful and decorative,
produced in the second half of the 18th century. The colouring is in general quite accurate. Two editions of this work
were simultaneously published, namely a Latin/French one,
and a Latin/Dutch one. This is the French one, which is the
rarer of the two (see Landwehr, p. 70). The leaves are uncut
and therefore with the widest possible margins. A very
good clean copy. Landwehr, Studies on Dutch books with
coloured plates published 1662-1875; Nissen ZBI, 3793.
Absolutely fantastic Art Nouveau plates with
dragons, fish and other creatures - a very rare
complete set
[70] Seder, A. Das Thier in der decorativen Kunst. I. Serie. Die
Wasserthiere [AND] II. Serie. Vögel. [Complete] Wien,
Gerlach & Schenk, 1896. Two large folio portfolios (57,9
x 44,3 cm) with one page of text, one frontispiece and 29
stunning chromolithographed plates showing animals
in a fantastic Art Nouveau style. Each original quarter
linen portfolios has an impressive dragon on front, with
the title artistically arranged around it.
$9500
= A very rare work with the finest and most stunning
plates of Art Nouveau book design. The plates in this portfolio depict dragons, reptiles, shells and other sea life (first
portfolio), as well as birds (second portfolio). It is hard to
underestimate the beauty and importance of this work by
the famous Art Nouveau painter and art professor Anton
Johann Nepomuk Seder (1850-1916). Each plate is a true highlight of artistic design and absolutely breathtaking. Seder’s
work had many followers in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco
= A fine, hand-coloured and uncut copy of the insect and
mineral parts of one of the most splendid and largest natural history works from the mid-18th century. Seba’s “Cabinet
of Natural Curiosities” is regarded as one of the 18th century’s greatest natural history achievements and remains one
of the most prized natural history books of all time. Though
it was common for men of his profession to collect natural specimens for research purposes, Amsterdam-based
pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665-1736) who made a fortune
working for the VOC (Dutch East India Company), had a
passion that led him far beyond the call of duty. His collection of natural history objects was displayed in four very
large volumes, which are nowadays very rare, and of which
movements and afterwards; original individual plates are
still highly in demand. Consequently, complete portfolios in
good condition, such as this one, are extremely rare. Cover
of one portfolio a bit soiled and some light browning to the
margin of the frontispiece, but overall a fine copy with the
plates in the best possible sharpness and colouring. The
quality of these chromolithographs is absolutely first class,
the frequent use of gold and many different colours gives
these plates a great depth which is not even possible with
the most advanced printing techniques of today. An exceptionally well-preserved copy. Schneider-Henn, 200.
[71] Selys-Longchamps, E. Baron de Manuscript titled “Faune Belge. Dipterea”. Unpublished,
[manuscript dated Janvier 1843]. 4to [21 x 17 cm] 77+20
pp., bound in four signatures.
$850
= Michel Edmond Baron de Selys-Longchamps (1813-1900)
was one of Belgium’s most prolific naturalists. He had a broad
interest in natural history subjects, publishing, for instance,
Belgian vertebrates, and migratory birds, but his chief interest was entomology, with many contributions to the knowledge of Mecoptera, Odonata, and Diptera. He worked as
an entomologist and zoologist at the University of Liège in
Belgium. The present manuscript deals with the Belgian
Diptera, in which he was the leading expert of his time. New
names are included of which some, such as Limnobia dubia
are not found on the internet. The many adjoining species
named by Meigen are found in other genera. The main work
covers three signatures (77 pp.); another 20 pp. contain what
seems to be a checklist, titled “note des insectes diptères
trouvés pendant l’année 1838”, with additional descriptions
and some illustrations of wings. At the end of this fourth
signature, and running in the opposite direction, are manuscripts on Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, dated 1834. Most
leaves are in a good state, and de Longchamps’ handwriting
is clear and neat. a few leaves have smudges, others have
additions and corrections by Selys. In all a highly interesting and well-preserved item.
ing. All are numbered in the top right corner. A few light,
marginal spots, otherwise a fine set.
[74] Snow, J. On the inhalation of the vapour of ether. London: The
London Medical Gazette [printed by Wilson and Ogilvy],
1847. 8vo. 10 pp., two woodcut illustrations in the text.
Printed front wrapper. Blind wrappers. Preserved in
elegant 20th century half calf drop box; spine with five
raised bads and gilt title.
$6200
[72] Selys-Longchamps, E. Baron de Manuscripts on various natural history subjects:
“Catalogue des oeufs des oiseaux”; “Tableau des oiseaux
de proie et aquatiques”; “Monographie du genre Becroisé
(Loxia) Brisson”; etc. Unpublished, ca. 1840-1850. Looseleaved collection of manuscript pages. Various sizes.
$675
= Michel Edmond Baron de Selys-Longchamps (1813-1900)
was one of Belgium’s most prolific naturalists. He had a
broad interest in in natural history subjects, publishing, for
instance, on Diptera, Mecoptera, Odonata, Belgian vertebrates, and migratory birds. He worked as an entomologist
and zoologist at the University of Liège in Belgium. The
present collection shows that he also had a special interest
in bird’s eggs, crossbeaks, molluscs (a single leaf contains
drawings of Cepaea), fossil plants, and systematics in
general. The total number of leaves is 23 (one is in a different hand), differing in size and divided over approximately
nine subjects. It is not know yet if any part of this collection
has been published. All leaves are in a good state, and de
Longchamps’ handwriting is clear and neat.
[73] « Six original watercolours of snakes with their
names and description »
Unpublished, ca. 1850. Six sheets [22.1 x 18.2 cm], each
with ink and hand-coloured drawing of a snake [recto],
and a description [verso]. Loose in portfolio.
$1450
= This is a collection of six fine drawings, by a single artist,
drawn on the same kind of wove paper. All but one are identified on the verso. Apart from the common English name,
the Latin is given, as well as various notes on, e.g., their size,
variability, occurrence, habitat, and whether or not they are
poisonous; all in a very neat and well-readable handwrit-
= The extremely rare offprint of the true first edition of John
Snow’s description and illustration of his breakthrough
invention, the first apparatus, which could regulate the
amount of ether vapour inhaled by the patient. The medical doctor Snow (1813-1858) was “an English physician and a
leader in the adoption of anaesthesia and medical hygiene.
He is considered one of the fathers of modern epidemiology,
in part because of his work in tracing the source of a cholera outbreak in Soho, London, in 1854. Snow was one of the
first physicians to study and calculate dosages for the use
of ether and chloroform as surgical anaesthetics, allowing
patients to undergo surgical and obstetric procedures without the distress and pain they would otherwise experience.
He designed the apparatus to safely administer ether to the
patients and also designed a mask to administer chloroform.
He personally administered chloroform to Queen Victoria
when she gave birth to the last two of her nine children”
(Wikipedia). Snow first described his inhaler in this paper
published in the London Medical Gazette, volume 4. Later
in the same year he published a book in which he again
described his revolutionary apparatus, which by then had
been slightly modified. This is the Haskell F. Norman copy,
with his small bookplate on the verso of the blind wrapper. Spine gutter with some japanese paper repairs; lacks
last blank, otherwise very good, clean, and as described
in Christie’s catalogue of the Norman Library. GarrisonMorton, 5658; Norman 1965; Norman sale, Christies III, 1303
(this copy).
[75] « Société Française des Munitions de chasse de tir,
et de guerra »
Anciens établissements Gévelot et Gaupillat. PrixCourant. Paris, published by the company, 1910. Oblong
folio (21.5 x 28.0 cm). Title page in red and black; two
tissue-guarded frontispices (aerial views of the factories
in Moulineaux and Sèvres, 69 pp., many illustrations on
55 pages. Original gilt and black printed limp boards.
$680
= A rare price list, apparently valid for France, Corse, and
Algeria, of a large ammunition factory. On the title page it
proudly states that Grand Prix were won at the World Fair in
Paris, 1900, and other fairs in Saint Louis (1904; related to the
Olympics?), and Liège (1905), etc. The illustrations depict a
wide variety of ammunition, mainly bullits, printed in gold,
silver, and various colours. Spine top chipped, and some
paper loss to the left top corner of the front board; contents
very good, unmarked, clean. As all ephemeral publications
this one is very rare.
[76] « Souvenir of Cape of Good Hope »
Cape Town [?], “G. B. & Co.”, ca. 1900. Oblong folio
(22.0 x 57.0 cm). 71 photos in heliogravure, including 11
wide panoramas, and 15 groups of four smaller photos.
Original pebbled cloth in grey and red, with gilt title on
the front board. Marbled endpapers.
$900
= A very peculiar, very rare album of printed photos of the
Cape region, including extremely long and detailed heliogravure panoramic views of Cape town, its environment (e.g.
the 12 apostles), Simonstown, Port Elizabeth, East London,
and even the De Beers diamond mines at Kimberley. The
size of the actual images is approximately 14 x 46 cm (5.5”
x 18”). In total there are eleven such images. Alternatively,
pages with four postcard-sized images, mainly of landmark
buildings, streets, harbours and other views are included.
Informative text is present on plate versos and printed leaves.
Photos show ships, trains, trams, horse drawn carriages, but
as far as we can see no motorcars, placing the work at the
turn of the century. The work must be extremely rare; there
are no copies on the internet; it is not listed in OCLC, and we
could trace only one auction record. Inscribed and dated (22
August 1910) on the front free endpaper verso. A few small,
marginall spots, otherwise quite clean.
[77] Swift, J. The works of J.S, D.D., D.S.P.D. in four volumes.
Containing I. The author’s miscellanies in prose. II.
His poetical writings. III. The travels of Capt. Lemuel
Gulliver. IV. His papers relating to Ireland, consisting
of several treatises; among which are, the Drapier letters
to the people of Ireland, against receiving Wood’s halfpence; also two original Drapier’s letters, never before
published. [AND] V. The conduct of the allies, and The
examiners; VI. The publick spirit of the whigs; and other
pieces of political writings; with Polite conversation; VII.
Letters to and from Jonathan Swift, D.D, D.S.P.D.; VIII.
Directions to servants; and other pieces in prose and
verse, published in his life-time; with several poems and
letters never before printed. [Complete in 8 volumes].
Dublin, George Faulkner, 1735-1738. Eight parts in eight.
8vo. Engraved frontispieces (including two portraits of
Swift) in volumes I-IV [with portrait frontispiece and six
plates or maps in volume III (Gulliver’s Travels)]. Uniform
contemporary full calf. Gilt-bordered panels; spines with
five raised bands, gilt lines and burgundy morocco label
with gilt title. Red speckled edges.
$9600
= The first edition of Jonathan Swift’s collected works,
of which the first four volumes - including the complete
“Gulliver’s Travels”, with maps - were published during his
life-time. The last four volumes were published immediately
after Swift’s death and contain several works not previously
published. Old owner’s inscription on the front endpapers,
old pictorial bookplate on front flyleaf rectos, contemporary
owner’s signature on the title page of volume I, a few wormholes to volume V, otherwise a very good, clean set in a
nfineice, uniform binding.
[78] Tachard, G. Voyage de Siam, des peres jesuites, envoyez par le
Roy aux Indes & à la Chine. Avec leurs observations
astronomiques, et leurs remarques de physiques, de
géographie, d’hydrographie, & d’histoire. Paris, Arnould
Seneuze, Daniel Horthemels, 1686. 4to (23.8 x 17.5 cm).
[xvi], 424, [viii] pp. Engraved title-vignette, engraved
headpieces and initials to the dedication page and six
chapters; ten full-page and ten double paged leaves
with engravings, signed by Pierre Paul Sevin (artist) and
Cornelis Vermeulen (engraver), for a total of 20 plates.
Contemporary full calf. Spine with five raised bands;
compartments with rich gilt floral patterns and dark red
morocco label with gilt title. Marbled endpapers.
$4300
= Rare first edition, complete with all twenty plates, of the
full account of the author’s first mission to Siam, including his long stay at the Cape of Good Hope with extensive
notes on the South Africa Cape province, depicting hottentots, as well as exotic animals such as the zebra, rhinoceros;
chameleon and several other cape reptiles on four doublesized plates; several elephants, the “walking” ginseng root,
and a view of Bangkok. The very fine, large, and detailed
head-pieces mainly show views on towns, gardens, courts,
etc. Guy Tachard (1650-1712) was a French missionary and
discoverer, he died in Bengal. Provenance: Mr de Revoset,
an old handwritten dedication on title and p.1. The work is
rather rare, and seldom found complete. Some copies in BNF
(3) and COPAC (2 in Oxford and 1 in the BL). Copies often
have fewer plates than our copy. Our number of leaves with
plates agrees with the OCLC standard description and that
of the copy in the BL. There are a few copies on the market,
but all have only 19 plates. Nissen only records an 8vo
edition. Margins quite wide. Corners rubbed. Later endpapers. The margins with light dampstaining on some leaves,
a few marginal wormholes and some marginal thumbing and staining. The plates usually cleaner. In all a good
complete copy with all the plates. De Backer/Sommervogel
VII, 1802; Graesse VI2, 7; Nissen ZBI, 4066.
[79] Vaillant, L. and G. Grandidier Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de Madagascar
publiée par Alfred et Guillaume Grandidier. Volume
XVII. Histoire naturelle des reptiles. Première partie:
crocodiles et tortues. Paris, Le Garde des Sceaux, 1910.
Half-title and title page, 86 pp., 27 plates of which nine in
chromolithography, 17 in lithography and one heliogravure. Contemporary full pebbled cloth with gilt title on
the spine.
$4000
= The whole, rare, section on the crocodiles, turtles and
tortoises of this immense series of monographs on the
natural history of Madagascar, founded and edited by the
French explorer and naturalist Alfred Grandidier (18361921). This is the only herpetololgical part. Léon Louis
Vaillant (1834-1914) was a talented and prolific French herpetologist, ornithologist and malacologist who worked at the
Natural History Museum in Paris. Alfred’s son, Guillaume
Grandidier (1873-1957) was an accomplished geographer,
ethnologist and zoologist who published a great deal on
the natural history of Madagascar, including many contributions in the “Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de
Madagascar” which was published between 1875 and 1942.
Most parts, including this one, are scientifically very important and rare. Nissen ZBI, 1676.
[80] Van der Waals, M. J. D. Théorie moléculaire d’une substance composée de deux
matières differentes. Haarlem, Les Héritiers Loosjes,
1891. 8vo. vii, 442 pp., 15 plates. Original printed wrappers.$2500
= A ground-breaking work by the Dutch physicist and
Nobel Prize winner Johannes Diderik van der Waals (18371923) “In 1890, van der Waals published a treatise on the
Theory of Binary Solutions in the Archives Néerlandaises.
By relating his equation of state with the Second Law of
Thermodynamics, in the form first proposed by Willard
Gibbs, he was able to arrive at a graphical representation
of his mathematical formulations in the form of a surface
which he called Ψ (Psi) surface following Gibbs, who used
the Greek letter Ψ for the free energy of a system with
different phases in equilibrium.” (Wikipedia). This is an
uncut and unmarked copy of the “Archives”, with the Van
der Waals contribution on pp. 1-56. Uncut, with the widest
possible margins. Rear wrapper very lightly spotted, otherwise a fine copy. Very rare in this state.
[81] Various authors Encyclopédie méthodique. Dictionnaire des jeux, faisant
suite au tome III des mathématiques. [AND] Dictionnaire
des jeux familiers, ou des amusemens de société; faisant
suite au dictionnaire des jeux, annexé au tome III des
mathématiques. [AND] Dictionnaire des jeux mathematiques, contenant l’analyse, les recherches, les calculs,
les probabilités & les tables numériques, publiés par
plusiers célèbres mathématiciens, relativement aux jeux
de hasard & combinaisions; et suite du dictionnaire
des jeux. Paris, Pancoucke, 1792. Title-page, iii, 316 pp.,
16 engraved plates; Paris, Agasse, An V (1798 or 1799).
Half-title, engraved title-page, ii [erroneously numbered
viii], 172 pp.; Paris, H. Agasse, An VII (1801 or 1802) viii,
212 pp., numerous text engravings. Contemporary full
mottled calf, spine with five raised bands, Louis XVI style
gilt bands and vignettes, and brown morocco label with
gilt title.
$4000
= The very rare section on mathematical games, gametheory, etc., of the greatest encyclopaedia ever published.
The second and third part are exceptionally rare, as they
were published during the turmoil of the revolution. The
first part specifically deals with games, and contains fine
plates, which show various board games, card games,
billards, etc. The two later parts have numerous text figures.
The three parts bound in reverse order. Boards rubbed at
extremities, two plate edges shaved, otherwise a very good,
clean, unmarked copy. Brunet II, pp. 973-974.
[82] Verneuil, M. P. l’Animal dans la décoration. Paris, Librairie Centrale
des Beaux-Arts (E. Lévy, ed.), [1897]. Folio. (45.9 x 33.7
cm). Half title, title (in two colours). iv pp., 60 fine lithographed plates, some heightened with silver and gold.
Ten original printed wrappers preserved. Contained in
a beautiful green clamshell box figuring the image of the
original wrapper. $6800
= Rare complete set - originally published in ten livraisons
- of one of the most influential works in the Art Nouveau
movement by the French illustrator Maurice Pillard Verneuil
(1869-1942). The plates show a spectacular mix between realism, with the animals portrayed accurately and in great
detail, and romanticism: the selection of individual animals,
the composition of the plates, the use of colour - it all adds
up to a power of imagination that left a strong impression on
turn-of-the-century free and applied art. Many plates show
reptiles, others deer, swans, sea horses, butterflies, hares,
peacocks, etc., etc. Single plates have been known to fetch
Euro 200 or more. The plates are all in very good condition,
free of spotting, only some very marginal light age-toning
and several stamps to the versos of the plates (no visible
effect to the front of plate) and to the half title and title page.
Original wrappers have been preserved and are all in two
parts. One has a clean tear and one is missing a large piece
of its front. The original portfolio is not included. Only four
complete copies have appeared at auction over the last 40
years; it is especially rare to have the original wrappers still
included. Benezit, 8, p. 534.
des planches et texte. Paris, Abraham Cherbuliez, 1837.
In two parts (text and plates). 8vo (text). Title page, viii,
464 pp., one folding table; Folio (53.1 x 36.2 cm) (plates).
Half-title, 70 numbered pp. (on 20 sheets), title page
(bound before plates), seven lithographed and engraved
plates (one larger, folded, two combined on one sheet).
Contemporary dark green gilt-bordered half calf over
marbled boards. Spine with four raised bands and gilt
title. Edges speckled red (text); contemporary half vellum
over marbled boards. Spine with gilt title (atlas). $2900
[83] « View of the great exhibition room, Galerie de
paléontologie et d’anatomie comparée »
Around the time of its inauguration. Ca. 1898. Silver
albumen print [46.6 x 58.3 cm] mounted on contemporary
board [54.0 x 65.0 cm].
$1450
= A very large photo signed A. Lainé, showing, from a
balcony, the large palaeontological display room, or “Galerie
de paléontologie et d’anatomie comparée” of the Muséum
national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, with skeletons of a
mammuth, a saurier, a giant elk, giant ammonites, and, on
the gallery, those of humans and great apes. Comparison
with the actual situation (e.g. http://commons.wikimedia.org/
wiki/File:Galerie_de_pal%C3%A9ontologie_et_d’anatomie_
compar%C3%A9e_-441.jpg) shows that several of the largest objects are, after more than 115 years, still present, some
even at exactly the same spot. Most noticeable change is the
removal of the large glass display cases with the human skeletons. The size of this plate is truly grand, doing justice to its
contents. “The Gallery was inaugurated in 1898 as part of l’
Expositions universelles de Paris of 1900 and was the creation
of professors Albert Gaudry (Professor of Paleontology) and
Georges Pouchet (Professor of Comparative Anatomy) who
wished to preserve and present to the public collections
of great historic and scientific importance. The collections
derive from the great expeditions of the traveller-naturalists
of the 18th and 19th centuries as well as from the ménagerie’
(zoo) of the Jardin des Plantes. The Gallery of Paleontology
presents a famous collection of fossil vertebrates (especially
dinosaurs and other extinct animals) and of invertebrates.
The Gallery of Comparative Anatomy, holds nearly a thousand skeletons and interprets their organization and classification. The remarkable Gallery building, designed by
the architect Frederic Dutert consists of two floors and its
surface area is approximately 2,500 square meters. The largest gallery, made of stone and metal, is almost 80 meters
long, the facades are decorated with sculptures inspired
by naturalists and large windows afford abundant natural
light” (Wikipedia). The plate has some light, hardly noticeable spotting and a few, mostly unobtrusive scratches of
which two more noticeable; at the lower edge, there is some
fading, otherwise in a good condition; sharp and detailed.
[84] Von Goethe, J. W. Oeuvres d’histoire naturelle de Goethe comprenant
divers mémoires d’anatomie comparée, de botanique
et de géologie; traduits et annotés par Ch. Fr. Martins,
docteur de médecine. Avec un atlas in-folio contenant les
planches originales de l’auteur, et enrichi de trois dessins
et d’un texte explicatif sur la métamorphose des plantes, par P. J. F. Turpin, membre de l’Institut Explication
= First and rare French edition of a work that, as such, was
not published in any other language. It illustrates Goethe’s
famous anatomic monograph of the “Zwischenkiefer des
Menschen und der Thiere”, published in 1786, and his
“Versuch über die Metamorphose der Pflanzen”, published
in 1790, without plates, as well as the last edition of 1831
by Cotta in Stuttgart containing “Nachträge” (supplements),
also without plates. The present work is divided in two
sections, namely: “Anatomie comparée” by C. Martins, with
two fine lithographed plates of “Os intermaxillaires” by N.
Jacob; and “Botanique, esquisse et atlas d’organographie
végétale, fondée sur le principe d’unité de composition organique et d’évolution rayonnante ou centrifuge pour servir
à prouver l’identité des organes appendiculaires des végétaux et la métamorphose des plantes de Goethe”, with three
engraved plates drawn by Turpin, including a fine engraved
plate on the “Végétal type, idéal, appendiculé, hémisphère
supérieure aérienne et inférieur terrestre”, and “métamorphoses des organes appendiculaires des végétaux”, and
“rose-cent-feuilles, prolifère” all by P. Turpin. There are
two more engravings of geological interest, showing “La
Luisenburg”, and “Le Temple de Jupiter à Serapis”, for a total
of seven sumptuous engravings. All engravings clean, text
with some light foxing. Atlas text page numbering is erratic:
“Anatomie comparée” pp. [2]-3 on one sheet; “Botanique”,
and “géologie” pp. [5]-70 on 17 sheets. See also “Goethe and
Evolution”, Journal of the History of Ideas (1967). Nissen BBI,
735.
[85] Von Humboldt [F. H.] A. and A. Bonpland Voyage de Humboldt et Bonpland. Paris, 1814-[1837].
Folio (59 x 42 cm). Engraved frontispiece; 499 [vi, 438,
52, 3] pp.; 39 plates, of which several double-sized, and
some partly hand-coloured. Introduction and plates not
bound, as issued, plate explanations in original wrappers
with mounted printed title. All preserved in three later,
uniform portfolios.
$6800
= A large section of the ground-breaking and quintessential work by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland
on tropical South and Central America, in particular the
part relating to the history and geography of present-day
Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, parts of Brazil, Equador and
Peru, and including Cuba and other Caribbean islands. The
many maps and views (often several on a single large sheet)
are very detailed and of great accuracy. The views mainly
show parts of the Andes, then believed to be the highest
mountain range on earth, with emphasis on the geology and
climate zones. Apart from these new maps the work includes
historical facsimilé maps, for instance by De la Cosa. The
descriptive text is not complete; Lacking are the text pages
439-562 (which makes the remark regarding livraison 30 in
Fiedler & Leitner “(bis S. 446?”) unlikely to be correct, and
the plate description pages after page 52, if ever published.
They are not recorded by Fiedler & Leitner. Apparently this
set was terminated before all was published. For instance,
the “Tableau de cartes géographiques et physiques” is
a “feuille provisoire” and lists only 30 of the 39 plates.
According to Fiedler and Leitner, this Tableau is rare: “...
fehlt in manchen Expl.”. Sometimes the second map on plate
38 is regarded as plate 39, and plate 39 as plate 40. This is
a useless complication as more plates show more than one
map; and with 39 plates our copy is complete. Scattered,
mostly light foxing in places, but most pages and plates are
clean. Fiedler & Leitner, pp. 152-163; Nissen ZBI, 2048. Not in
Ward and Carozzi.
[86] Vosmaer, A. Regnum animale. Natuurkundige beschryving eener
uitmuntende verzameling van zeldsaame gedierten,
bestaande in Oost- en Westindische viervoetige dieren,
vogelen en slangen, weleer leevend voorhanden geweest
zynde, buiten den Haag, op het Kleine Loo van Z. D. H.
den Prins van Oranje-Nassau...Met naar ‘t leven getekende en gecouleurde afbeeldingen. Amsterdam, J. B.
Elwe, 1804. Small Folio. Engraved, hand-coloured title
page; vi, [ii] pp., and 33 title pages to each description (or
chapter); each with one or two hand-coloured, engraved
plates and 385 pp. of descriptive text, with separate page
numbering, for a total of 393 pp., and 35 plates (one
tinted, as intended). Contemporary half calf over speckled boards. Spine with gilt bands and red morocco label
with gilt title.
$4400
= A rare, complete copy of Aernout Vosmaer’s 31 descriptions
of exotic animals from the private zoo of prince William V
of The Netherlands, of which Vosmaer (1720-1799) was the
director. The animals are from the East and West Indies
(as indicated in the title), but also from Africa, and North
America. Vosmaer’s descriptions are very accurate, as are
the engravings, made after living specimens. Some had not
been described previously, and several were used as a basis
for valid descriptions, by others, according to the Linnaean
system. Vosmaer himself was not a Linnaean. Most of the
illustrations were engraved by Simon Fokke after designs
by Aert Schouman. A complete list of engravers is found
in Landwehr. All the animals are illustrated on one plate,
except for the orang-utan and the giraffe, which have two.
One of the giraffe plates is of the skeleton and only tinted, as
intended. The descriptions were separately published over
a long period with dates of publication ranging from 1765 to
1804; the last date is for two bird plates and text published
after Vosmaer’s death. This is the Dutch edition; both the
separate chapters and the whole work were pulished in both
a Dutch and a French edition. The latter is comparatively
less rare, but very scarce nonetheless. Boards a bit rubbed
with some of the paper cover of the boards chipped; internally a very good, clean, unmarked copy. Landwehr, 204;
Nissen ZBI, 4293; Wood, p. 615
[87] Wasson, R. Soma, divine mushroom of immortality. The Hague,
Mouton, 1968. 4to. xiii., 381, [i] pp., two full colour plates
(illustrations), 17 tipped in full colour photographic
plates (I-XV, XXII; plate VIII with two photos tipped in,
the second not counted), and six black and white photos
(XVI-XX, and one not numbered), 10 numbered text
figures, including one unnumbered text figure - possibly
number 8 - tinted with red, three maps (labelled A, B, C),
one folded chart. Original blue half calf with gilt border
and gilt title on the spine. Fore-edge uncut.
$1200
= True first, being number 32 of the limited edition,
described in the book as follows: “Of this book 680 copies
have been made, designed by Giovanni Mardersteig and set
in Dante type, of which two are designed A & B and the
others are numbered from 1 to 680. The text and the illustrations have been printed by the Stamperia Valdonegga in
Verona, except for the two plates in pochoir, which were
executed in Paris by Daniel Jacomet et Cie. The paper was
made by hand by Fratelli Magnani, Pescia, and the printing
was finished in October 1968”. This edition was published
in the Hague, and is not a New York, NY Harcourt Brace
edition, which is the simpler trade edition published after
1969. Oddly, there are New York copies on the market that
are supposed to belong to the same limited edition, but in
those on the internet the number of illustrations (lower in
the New York trade edition), is “wisely” not mentioned. This
is Ethno-Mycological Studies I (sometimes, with a Freudian
slip, listed as “Ethno-Mythological Studies”). In this work
the writer, ethnomycologist and banker Robert Gordon
Wasson (1898 - 1986), provides ample evidence for the important role that hallucinogenic mushrooms, in particular the
ubiquitous mushroom Amanita muscaria (fly agaric), play
in various ancient and modern cultures. Slipcase wanting,
otherwise a fine, unmarked, spotless copy. Volbracht, 2230.
[88] « Weather Book. Instructions »
London, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, [N.D., but 1861].
Folio (27 x 43 cm). 20 pp., one tinted lithographed plate,
mounted. Limp grained boards with gilt title on the front
board.$650
= The long title of this work reads “Weather book abstract
of log or meteorological register of ....” followed by: [Insert
Name of Ship; - Guns, Tonnage, and Material (Wood or
Iron)]. In other words, it is a ship’s log, with “Directions for
keeping the weather book, abstract of log or meteorological register”. It gives perfect insight in how barometers and
thermometers should be used on board ships, how nautical instruments should be used and adjusted, and how the
weather log should be maintained. It therefore includes a
representation of cloud types, and their names. Although
not explicitely stated this seems to be the official instruction
manual for the use of the log on board British naval vessels
in the mid-19th century. It is very rare to see this work in
such a clean, unused state.
A “marbelous” copy
[89] Wirsing, A. L. Marmora et adfines aliquos lapides coloribus suis/ A
representation of different sort of marble, Ingraved and
set out in their Natural Colours; also set forth with the
Dutch, German, English, French and Latin names/
Abbildungen der Marmor-Arten und../ Afbeeldingen
der Mamer soorten.. / Représentation de marbres..
Amsterdam, J. C. Sepp, 1776. 4to (28.5 x 21.6 cm). Five
(French, English, German, Dutch, Latin) titles, each
with a different engraved vignette, five (Dutch, German,
English, French, Latin) letters to the reader, half title (in
five languages, Bayreutse Marmer on top) [14] pp., 78
figs on 13 plates (1-13); half-title (do., Wurtenbergsche
Marmer [12] pp., 72 figs on 12 plates (14-25); half title (do.,
Neresheimsche Marmer), [6] pp., 45 figs on five plates
(26-30); half title do., Durlachse Marmer) [8] pp., 36 figs on
six plates (31-36); half title (do. Saltzbursche Marmer) [6]
pp., 36 figs on six plates (37-42); half title (do., Zwitsersche
Marmer uit het Canton Bern) [7] pp., 28 figs on seven
plates (43-49); [5] pp., eight figures on three plates (50-52);
half title (do., Tyroolsche Marmer) [3] pp., 12 figs on two
plates (53-54); half title (do., Marmer uit Brabant) [11,
blank, 4] pp., 48 figs on eight plates (61-68); half title (do.,
Marmer uit Saxen) [10] pp., 30 figs on five plates (69-73);
Florentinische Marmer [caption to plates, no text pp.] 36
figs on six plates (74-79). In total 86 descriptive text pages,
73 beautifully engraved hand-coloured plates containing
409 figures of marble. Contemporary full tree calf with
five raised bands, morocco label with gilt title, five richly
gilt ornamented compartments.
$17,500
edition are known to possess a maximum of 98 plates, of
which this copy has the vast majority. Only one copy with 98
plates has ever been auctioned. Auction records from for the
past 50 years are very scarce and demonstrate a large variety in the number of plates (i.e. 23, 30, 42, 68 and only one
with 73, like ours). We believe this proves that the work was
issued in parts by subscription, and accounts for all copies
containing less than the maximum number of plates. The
maximum number is listed in the British Museum Catalogue
and in Brunet only. The few other copies recorded all lack
20 or more plates, usually towards the end of the book. This
copy is remarkable for having a part of the Italian section,
with six plates. The text appears in four modern languages
in rectangular columns and the Latin text at the bottom. The
Latin and German descriptive text is by Casimir Christoph
Schmidel (1718-1792). Each section has its own title and
preface; the accompanying text ends with plate 73. The next
section “Florentinische Marmer” is only denoted by the
caption of plate 74. Brunet IV may be in error listing text up
to plate 75. Most plates, except a few, are tissue guarded. All
pages clean and plates with colouring very fresh and vivid.
A fine copy. Cat BM(NH), pp. 1243, 2340 (with 98 plates);
Sinkankas, 7281 (with 54 plates). Brunet IV, col. 1243; V, col.
1465 (with 98 plates).
[90] Wolfrum, F. (publ) Farbige Flächendecorationen im modernen Stil. Serie 1.
Vienna and Leipzig, Wolfrum, no date [ca. 1910]. Folio.
Portfolio, containing title page and 17 (of 18) coloured
plates. Original cloth and paper portfolio with title and
nice Jugendstil logo of the printer.
$680
= A very rare portfolio of Art Nouveau designs by Clara
Aubertz, Hans Bauer, Carl Ducke, Robert Holubez, August
Patek and others. Several of these artists are from the
famous Viennese school of Koloman Moser. Some plates a
little age toned or foxed, binding with light shelfwear, but a
very good copy. Very rare.
= Second edition of this magnificent and outstanding
colour plate book, depicting an almost infinitely-varied
series of marbles and allied ornamental stones from deposits in Germany and nearby countries, including Belgium,
Switzerland, and Italy. Apparently each of the rectangular
panels represents the appearance of a polished slab, with
most plates depicting six such pieces, but others two, four,
and as many as nine. While one is immediately captivated
by the richness and depth of the watercolour painting, often
heightened by the application of opaque white for veinlets, it
can be seen that under each painting lies a complex, lightlyincised network of lines, almost like rouletting, over which
the colours have been laid. Only a few copies of this second
[91] Wytsman, P. Genera Avium in 26 parts. [Complete] Brussels,
Venteneuil and Desmet, 1905-1914. Folio (32.5 x 25.3 cm).
Text and 43 fine chromolithographed plates. In original,
uniform, printed wrappers.
$850
= A well-illustrated and scientifically important series,
started by Wytsman, but terminated at the beginning of
WWI. The fine plates are by the best bird illustrators of that
time, such as Keulemans and Grönvold, and a few others.
The text is by various experts, such as Bowdler Sharpe,
Ogilvie-Grant, Salvadori, Sclater, etc. One contribution is
by Wytsman himself. Parrots and related birds are wellrepresented. Nissen IVB, incorrectly quotes 44 plates, it
should only have 43 as part 4 only contains one plate and
not two. This set is thus complete. Some small rust spots in
the margins due to old staples. otherwise a very good set.
Nissen IVB, 1028; Zimmer II, p. 695.
[92] Wytsman, P. (Ed.) A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours of flower chafers, most probably intended
for the famous series, “Genera Insectorum”. 11 clippings,
each with one hand-coloured beetle and all but one with
a printed (?) number (1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 17, 17 [bis], 18, 19, 22,
and the Latin name on the verso, in pencil; as well as ten
printed cardboard labels “coll. Wytsman”, with the Latin
name and habitat (i.e. country of origin) added in ink.
$200
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beautiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
Apart from a scientific value, these illustrations also have an
esthetic value because of their accuracy, fine detailling and
intricate colouration. This manuscript deals with Coleoptera
(beetles) Cetoniidae (flower chafers). Also widely regarded
as a subfamily of the Scarabaeidae, this group consists of
colourful beetles living on flowers. The specimens illustrated all belong to the tribi Goliathini. This group was not
treated in the Genera Insectorum; perhaps because of the
death of Wytsman. Boards lightly toned, otherwise in a fine
state.
[93] Wytsman, P. (Ed.) [AND] C. Pierre A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours, for the famous series, “Genera Insectorum”
part 186, Tipulidae (crane flies) (1926). A collection of
seven leaves with 30 (combinations of) hand-coloured
images mounted.
$400
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beautiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
Apart from a scientific value, these illustrations also have an
esthetic value because of their accuracy, fine detailling and
intricate colouration. This manuscript deals with Diptera
(flies) Tipulidae (crane flies). The Tipulidae, Tipulinae (true
crane flies) were treated by the French draftsman and
entomologist Claude Pierre (1875-1934), who specialized
in Diptera. The fine, very detailed illustrations are most
likely the work of the author. All the 14 illustrations of the
published edition are present; as well as 16 b/w line-drawings of anatomical details, which were also published in the
same work. All in a fine state.
[94] Wytsman, P. (Ed.) [AND] E. Meyrick A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours, of twirler moths for the famous series,
“Genera Insectorum” part 184 (1925). 33 sheets of approx-
imately 11 x 9 cm; each with the fine full colour drawings
of two moth species each (enlarged), showing the body
and the left legs and wings, and an indication, in pencil,
of their true size, as well as their Latin name and author
in ink. $680
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beautiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
Apart from a scientific value, these illustrations also have
an esthetic value because of their accuracy, fine detailling
and intricate colouration. The present selection, however,
shows more: many illustrations were never printed as
intended. This manuscript deals with Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), Gelechiidae (twirler moths). This family
was treated in a single contribution, by the English schoolmaster and entomologist Edward Meyrick (1854-1938). “He
was an expert on Microlepidoptera and some consider him
one of the founders of modern Microlepidoptera systematics. His huge collection of specimens (over 100,000) is at the
Natural History Museum, London. It is believed that he had
collected more specimens than anyone else” (Wikipedia).
The drawings, most probably by the author, are subtly
numbered (3-4, 25 to 75, and 101 to 114) in small pencil in
the left margin. These match with figures in the published
work, on the plates 1 to 4. A direct comparison shows that
the printed versions have lost most of the subtility in colouring and shading. All items in a fine state.
[95] Wytsman, P. (ed.) [AND] F. Borchmann A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours for the famous series, “Genera Insectorum”
part 204, Lagriidae (long-joint beetles) (1936). A collection of 71 original watercolours on boards (various sizes;
usually approximately 9 x 8 cm), and an additional 26
tinted or b/w drawings of mandibles, antennae, etc.
$1650
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beautiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
Apart from a scientific value, these illustrations also have an
esthetic value because of their accuracy, fine detailling and
intricate colouration. The present selection, however, shows
more: many illustrations, intended by their authors for
inclusion in the Genera Insectorum were never printed as
intended. This manuscript deals with Coleoptera, Lagriidae
(often regarded as Lagriinae; a subfamily of Tenebrionidae)
which were monographed by the German entomologist Fritz
Borchmann (1870-1944). The illustrations are not signed, but
they are very professional. In comparison with the published
figures, the original drawings are slightly lighter and showing more detail. The separate drawings of insect parts are
usually annotated, sometimes heavily (instructions to the
engraver), and much larger than the printed versions. All in
a fine state.
[96] Wytsman, P. (ed.) [AND] H. F. Strohecker A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours of fabulous beetles, for the famous series,
“Genera Insectorum” part 210 (1953) but never published
in this state. A collection of 28 large leaves (29.5 x 21 cm),
each with one large image of a fungus beetle.
$3200
[98] Wytsman, P. (ed.) [AND] H. H. Karny A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours for the famous series, “Genera Insectorum”
part 206, Gryllacrididae (leaf-rolling crickets) (1937). A
collection of 22 leaves with 65 (groups of) images of individual cricket specimens.
$1500
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beautiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
Apart from a scientific value, these illustrations also have
an esthetic value because of their accuracy, fine detaill-
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beautiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
Apart from a scientific value, these illustrations also have
an esthetic value because of their accuracy, fine detailling
and intricate colouration. The present selection, however,
shows more: many illustrations, intended by their authors
for inclusion in the Genera Insectorum were never printed
as intended. Unfortunately, after the death of Wytsman,
his successors opted for a less costly approach and decided
to publish these illustrations in black and white only. This
manuscript deals with Coleoptera (beetles), Endomychidae
(fungus beetles). This family consists mainly of colourful species, feeding on fungi. The American entomologist
and “most influential endomychid taxonomist of the 20th
century”, Henry Frederick Strohecker (1905-1988) made very
large and detailed watercolours for his part of the genera
Insectorum. Unfortunately, these splendid illustrations
were finally published in a much smaller format, and in
black and white phototypy only. The quality gap between
what was intended and what was finaly published, could
not have been deeper. Prior to his death, Strohecker donated
his research collection to the Florida State Collection of
Arthropods, where it is currently housed and maintained
(http://www.ent.uga.edu/mchugh/Strohecker.htm). Added,
from the same author/artist, for the same work: one large
watercolour of a beetle shield; and four large, very detailed
pen drawings of complete beetles. All in a fine state.
[97] Wytsman, P. (ed.) [AND] H. F. Strohecker Genera insectorum 210E fascicule. Coleoptera
Endomychidae. Bruxelles, L. Desmet-Verteneuil,
4to. Printed wrappers.
= Written by H. F. Strohecker. Uncut. A very good,
copy.
Fam.
1953.
NFS
clean
ing and intricate colouration. This manuscript deals with
Orthoptera, family Gryllacrididae, which were treated by
the Austrian entomologist Heinrich Hugo Karny (18861939), and published not long before his untimely death.
Karny worked as a medical doctor in the Dutch East Indies.
He described many new species from the Malayan region.
The fine drawings, partly of type material, are by Karney
himself, and contain notes, in pencil, regarding their status
and provenance, as well as suggestions for plate arrangements. Three small photos show some drawings arranged
and pinned on a wooden tablet. At least one drawing was
not used in the printed edition. All in a fine state.
[99] Wytsman, P. (Ed.) [AND] M. Beier AND B. M.
Klein A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours of Pseudophyllinae (true katydids), for the
famous series, “Genera Insectorum”. A collection of
eight large plates (33.0 x 25.0 cm), each with 5 to 11 large
original watercolours mounted, all representing various
mainly tropical bush crickets.
$1350
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the lead-
described by Kröber himself, in 1913, and one name could
not be traced. The illustrations are detailed, but slightly
amateurish; two illustrations are signed Zuvek [?], and
dated 20.8.[19]12. Strangely, although Kröber contributed to
the Genera Insectorum, the Scenopinidae were not treated.
This seems to be another case of a publication being (partly)
submitted, but never published. All in a fine state.
ing series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beautiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
Apart from a scientific value, these illustrations also have an
esthetic value because of their accuracy, fine detailling and
intricate colouration. The present selection, however, shows
more: many illustrations, intended by their authors for
inclusion in the Genera Insectorum were never printed as
intended and in this case never printed at all. Unfortunately,
after the death of Wytsman, his successors opted for a less
costly approach and decided to publish these illustrations in
black and white only. This manuscript deals with Orthoptera
(grasshoppers and crickets), Tettigoniidae, Pseudophyllinae
(true katydids). The drawings were made by B. M. Klein.
The family is not represented in the Genera Insectorum.
Authorship was difficult to establish. One species, however,
gave a clue: the large green cricket, Chloracris brunneri is
here mentioned as “n. sp.”; this indicates that the artwork
was intended for a publication by the orthopterid specialist Max Beier, as Beier published that name in 1954 in
another publication, however, without plates (Revision
der Pseudophyllinen; Madrid, CSIC). We assume that the
plates were intended for the Genera Insectorum (as, indeed,
all species belong to different genera), but the post-WWII
issues, subject to different ideas about the value of illustrations did not call for such luxurious plates, and the processing of the manuscript slowed down considerably. Perhaps
therefore Beier withdrew his contribution and decided to
publish elsewhere. All plates in a fine state.
[100] Wytsman, P. (ed.) [AND] O. Kröber A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours of Diptera Scenopinidae (window flies) for
the famous series, “Genera Insectorum”. Seven cards of
approximately 11.0 x 9.5 cm; each with a drawing in pencil
and water colour, with the name and figure number written in ink on mounted paper slips. One envelope with the
name Kröber.
$225
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. This manuscript deals with Diptera
Scenopinidae (window flies). The window flies are a small
(ca. 400 described species) family of flies, with a worldwide
distribution. In buildings they are often taken at windows,
hence their common name. The group was treated by the
German entomologist Otto Kröber (1882-1969) in several
papers. Interestingly, three of the seven species figured were
[101] Wytsman, P. (ed.) [AND] R. Braun A collection of exceedingly fine original artwork, intended
for the famous series, “Genera Insectorum”. A suite of ten
tissue-guarded boards of approximately 12-13 cm x 8-9
cm, each containing an extremely detailed professional
drawing of a beetle in colour, although most species are
naturally (near) completely blackish; some have a reddish
or purple reflexion, or yellowish eyes. The species’ name
and enlargement are neatly written in pencil in the lower
margin. Together with an envelope with the handwritten text “carabes dessinés par Braun (inutilisés)”. An
ALS, addressed to Madamoiselle Wytsmann [SIC] by
René Braun architecte A.D.G. containing an invoice for 12
drawings of Carabidae, together with a proof of payment,
and a list of “exemplaires envoyés à dessiner”.
$950
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beautiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
Apart from a scientific value, these illustrations also have
an esthetic value because of their accuracy, fine detailling
and intricate colouration. The present selection, however,
shows more: many illustrations, intended by their authors
for inclusion in the Genera Insectorum were never printed
as intended. Unfortunately, after the death of Wytsman,
his successors opted for a less costly approach and decided
to publish these illustrations in black and white only. This
manuscript deals with Coleoptera (beetles) Carabidae
(ground beetles). Although obviously made especially for
the Genera Insectorum, these were noted to be “unused”,
which is a great mystery, in view of the costs and quality. Indeed, we have not found these drawings anywhere
printed. Similar drawings, though smaller, and printed in
black only, are found in facicule 192, Carabinae by Vacher de
Lapouge (1953). The artists here are Nyst, Boca, and Thiriar.
All in a fine state.
[102] Wytsman, P. (Ed.) [AND] W. L. Distant A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours, of homopterous insects drawn by William
Lucas Distant, for the famous series, “Genera Insectorum”.
A collection of 48 superb full colour drawings of homopterous insects. Added is one unfinished drawing (whole
insect only).
$1350
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beau-
tiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
This manuscript deals with Homoptera Cicadidae (cicadas).
All illustrations were drawn and coloured by the English
entomologist William Lucas Distant (1845-1922) in his very
recognizeable style. Distant was the leading specialist
in the Homoptera and related groups and from his many
publications it becomes clear that he loved to draw them.
Distant contributed two parts to the Genera Insectorum,
viz. number 142 (1912), and number 158 (1914), with 10 plates
in all. These original drawings are exactly in the same style
and configuration, namely: the whole animal, however,
with the legs and wings of one side only; and each with a
smaller b/w drawing of the mandibles and the genital parts.
However, the present drawings do not seem to be on any of
these plates. Probably they remained unpublished. All in a
fine state.
[103] Wytsman, P. (ed.) [AND, probably] F. Ohaus A collection of fine original artwork, including many
watercolours of Scarabeidae, for the famous series,
“Genera Insectorum” part 199a (1934). A collection of 44
Water colour drawings on boards; each approximately
9.5 x 8.0 cm. Each specimen figured on a separate board,
with their Latin name and author in the same handwriting, and often with pencil notes in another, smaller hand.
On most boards, a species number, and a plate plus figure
number in pencil are added, as well as some notes. The
numbers are 1-3, 5-15, 31-48, 50-54, 56-60. Three are without a number.
$1350
majority of these concerned the taxonomy of Rutelinae.
Because of his voluminous and ground-breaking research
on ruteline taxonomy, he is often referred to as the “Father
of Rutelinae.” (<http://museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/workers/FOhaus.htm>). As yet, we were unable to
verify if these original drawings were included on the six
plates of that work, nor do we know who the artist is. All in
a fine state.
[104] Wytsman, P. (Ed.) [AND, probably] P. Born Fine original, highly professional artwork; made but not
used for the famous series, “Genera Insectorum”. Two
fine watercolours on tissue-guarded boards. Boards
measuring aproximately 15 x 9 cm and 12 x 9 cm. $120
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. Wytsman was the chief editor of the first 190 volumes.
Especially the earlier contributions contained many beautiful illustrations, often in full colour, of complete insects.
Apart from a scientific value, these illustrations also have
an esthetic value because of their accuracy, fine detailling
and intricate colouration. The present selection, however,
shows more: many illustrations, intended by their authors
for inclusion in the Genera Insectorum were never printed.
These two manuscript drawings deal with Coleoptera
(beetles) Carabidae (ground beetles). One species is named
Calodrepa wilcoxi, the other is Ctenocarabus galicianus
beirensis. Both belonging to the Carabidae, subfamily
Carabinae (true ground beeetles); but they are very different from the René Braun illustrations [see item no. 93]. The
Ctenocarabus subspecies was described from Cuimbra,
Portugal, by Paul Born in 1924. Thus this must heve been
intended for a later published work, if published at all.
The only genera Insectorum part dealing with Carabidae,
Carabinae, is no. 192, of which the 1931 part was not available
at the time of writing. The 192e part (1953) places Calodrepa
in Calosoma and figures a different species in b/w; but does
include Ctenocarabus galicianus beirensis, but of course not
in colour, and represented by a different specimen (plate VI,
fig. 9). Both items in a fine state.
= The series “Genera Insectorum” is one of the largest, and
longest running series of entomological monographs of the
20th century. Started by the Belgian entomologist, ornithologist and publisher Philogène Auguste Galilée Wytsman
(1866-1925) in 1902; it ran up to 216 volumes when it finally
was concluded in 1970. The page dimensions, at 32.5 x 24.5
cm, were much larger than in any other such series, and the
use of full colour illustrations helped it to become the leading series in world-wide systematic and taxonomic entomology. This manuscript deals with the beetle subfamily
Rutelinae, which were treated in three issues; numbered
199a to 199c. the first part was written by Friedrich Ohaus
(1864-1946) and published before WWII; the two later parts
date from 1957, and 1965 with Johann W. Machatschke as
author. These have rather simple illustrations, in black and
white. Ohaus “…was a pre-eminent German entomologist
who published over 170 papers on scarabaeoids. The vast
[10]
[10]
[69]
[99]
[37]
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[70]
Dieter Schierenberg b.v
Zamenhofstraat 150, unit 320
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The Netherlands
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