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an open book with illustrations of plants and flowers on itan open book with illustrations of various animals on itan open book with a drawing of a llama standing on top of itan old book with a drawing of a man laying on the ground
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465 - South America – Brazil
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Estimate €3,000 - €4,500
Sale commission
Description
South America – Brazil Piso, Willem and Georg Markgraf *Historia naturalis Brasiliae*, published under the patronage and with the support of His Excellency I. Mauritius, Count of Nassau, High Prefect of that province and of the sea: in which not only plants and animals, but also the customs, character and way of life of the indigenous peoples are described and illustrated with over five hundred engravings. 2 parts in 1 vol. With an engraved title page and over 500 woodcuts in the text. Leiden, F. Hack and Amsterdam, L. Elzevier, 1648. 6 leaves, 122 pp.,(2) pp. (8) pp., 293 pp., (1) p., (6) pp. Folio. Half-leather with handwritten title on the spine and title on the edge (heavily worm-eaten, rubbed and bumped). First edition. – Borba de Moreas II, 152 – Bosch 109 – Sabin 63028 – Nissen, BBI 1533 – Willems 1068 – Richly illustrated with botanical woodcuts and zoological illustrations. “The first precise scientific research reports on the natural history, geography, meteorology and ethnology of Brazil … The illustrations constitute the richest iconographic material ever published in an early work on the natural sciences” (Koppel, Bosch Collection). - Part 1 contains the ‘Medicina Brasiliensis’ by the Leiden physician W. Pies, who sailed to Recife in 1638 on behalf of the West India Company. Reports on the healthcare system of the time, epidemics, medicinal plants, the medical knowledge of the indigenous peoples, animal and plant poisons, etc. - Part 2 (8 books) contains, in Chapters 1–7, the studies of the young German naturalist, astronomer and cartographer G. Markgraf from Liebstadt, Saxony. Of the nearly 700 species discussed, most were unknown in Europe. Finally, the editor, de Laet, discusses the geography, ethnology and meteorology of the northern part of Brazil. – Edges slightly browned, in places slightly stained and worm-eaten. Overall in good condition. 2 parts in 1 vol. With an engraved title page and over 500 woodcuts in the text. Half-vellum with a handwritten title on the spine and title on the page edges (heavily worm-eaten, rubbed and bumped). - First edition. - Richly illustrated with woodcuts of plants and zoological figures. “The first precise scientific research reports on the natural history, geography, meteorology and ethnology of Brazil… The illustrations represent the richest iconographic material ever published in an early scientific work” (Koppel, Bosch Collection). - Part 1 contains the ‘Medicina Brasiliensis’ by the Leiden physician W. Pies, who sailed to Recife in 1638 on behalf of the West India Company. It includes information on the healthcare system of the time, epidemics, medicinal plants, the medical knowledge of the indigenous peoples, animal and plant poisons, etc. - Part 2 (8 books) contains, in chapters 1–7, the studies of the young German naturalist, astronomer and cartographer G. Markgraf from Liebstadt, Saxony. Of the nearly 700 species discussed, most were previously unknown in Europe. Finally, the editor de Laet covers the geography, ethnology and meteorology of northern Brazil. - Margins slightly browned, some light staining and wormholes. Overall well preserved. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard margin scheme. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
See original version (German)
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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