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an open book with a drawing of a scorpion on itan old book with writing on it on a white surface
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1588 - Zoology – Entomology
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Estimate €700 - €900
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Description
Zoology – Entomology Swammerdamm, Johann *Historia Insectorum Generalis*, in which all matters pertaining to insects and the transformations of their bodies are clearly explained on the basis of the principles of natural philosophy and experience. Translated from the Belgian into Latin by Henricus Christianus Henninius. Leiden, published by Jordan Leuchtmans, 1685. With a woodcut title vignette, 13 copper plates (some folded) and 1 folded table. (10) 212 (18) pp. Printed using a page from a 16th-century antiphonary. Nissen, ZBI 4052 (first edition). – Hagen II, 208. – Krivatsy 11599. – Garrison-Morton 294. – First Latin edition of a seminal work on entomology and the history of development. The Dutch physician and naturalist Jan Swammerdam (1637–1680) conducted his studies of insects with exceptional anatomical precision and explicitly rejected the traditional notion of a sudden change in form, understood merely as ‘metamorphosis’. Instead, he described the development of the larva, pupa and imago as a coherent, gradual process of growth and differentiation. His observations are among the earliest well-founded accounts of the continuity of the organism during insect development. The work classifies the various developmental forms of what von Swammerdam broadly termed ‘bloodless animals’ into four groups. His concept of ‘Insecta’ does not correspond to the modern zoological term, but, in the Aristotelian sense, encompasses segmented, bloodless animals and thus extends beyond modern insects. The copperplate engravings document the anatomy, larval and pupal stages, as well as the developmental processes of various species; the large overview plate relates the changes in insects to those of vertebrates, particularly the frog, and plants. Swammerdam’s research, which was based on meticulous dissection and microscopic observation, marks a decisive step away from scholarly compilation towards empirically grounded natural science. In addition to entomology, the volume is therefore of fundamental importance for the history of anatomy, microscopy and early modern developmental biology. Whilst his more extensive posthumous research was later published in the *Biblia naturae*, the *Historia Insectorum Generalis* is one of the few works to have appeared during his lifetime. A fine copy. A rare edition of outstanding significance in the history of science. Zoology. – Entomology. – With a woodcut title vignette, 13 engraved plates (some folding) and one folding table. Contemporary vellum binding, using a leaf from a 16th-century antiphonary. Nissen, ZBI, 4052 (first edition). - Hagen II, 208. - Krivatsy 11599. - Garrison-Morton 294. - First Latin edition of a seminal work on entomology and developmental biology. The Dutch physician and naturalist Jan Swammerdam (1637–1680) conducted his investigations into insects with exceptional anatomical precision and explicitly challenged the traditional notion of abrupt transformation, understood merely as ‘metamorphosis’. Instead, he described the development from larva through pupa to imago as a continuous, gradual process of growth and differentiation. His observations rank among the earliest well-founded accounts of the continuity of the organism during insect development. The work classifies the various developmental forms of what Swammerdam broadly termed ‘bloodless animals’ into four groups. His concept of Insecta does not correspond to the modern zoological term, but follows the Aristotelian understanding of segmented, bloodless animals and thus extends beyond insects in the modern sense. The engraved plates document anatomy, larval and pupal stages, and developmental processes in various species, whilst the large synoptic table relates the transformations of insects to those of vertebrates – particularly the frog – and of plants. Based on careful dissection and microscopic observation, Swammerdam’s research represents a decisive step away from scholarly compilation towards empirically based natural science. In addition to its importance for entomology, the volume is therefore fundamental to the history of anatomy, microscopy and early-modern developmental theory. His more extensive posthumous works were later published in the *Biblia naturae*; the *Historia Insectorum Generalis*, by contrast, was one of the few works published during his lifetime. A good copy. A rare and outstanding edition of major importance to the history of science. 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, screen prints, offset prints, photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. 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.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
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Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
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