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drawing of a snake, a lizard, and a fishdrawing of a lizard, a snake, and a ball of yarn
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1592 - Zoology – Herpetology
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Estimate €1,800 - €2,200
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Description
Zoology – Herpetology Klein, Jacob Theodor Tentamen Herpetologiae. With a perpetual commentary. Includes J. A. Unzer’s *Observatio de Taeniis*, rendered in Latin, with doubts concerning the same. With two folded copperplate plates. Leiden & Göttingen, published by Eliam Luzac, Jun., 1755. Contemporary half-leather binding with rich gilt decoration, a red spine label and parchment inlay (somewhat rubbed and stained). Biodiversity Heritage Library, Bibliography 4709. – Nissen 2160. – Wood, 384. – First edition of a seminal work in early zoology and a key text in the history of herpetology. In this work, Klein uses the term ‘Herpetologia’ for the first time and attempts a systematic classification of the crawling, legless animals he refers to as ‘Herpeta’. His natural history system does not yet follow the modern distinction between reptiles and amphibians, but instead classifies the animals discussed primarily into the orders of snakes (Anguis) and worms (Vermis) – a revealing document of 18th-century taxonomic concepts. The text combines detailed morphological observations – particularly regarding the head, dentition, moulting and venomous apparatus of snakes – with extensive commentary drawn from ancient and contemporary sources. Klein discusses numerous species and names, including vipers, rattlesnakes and cobras, and draws on authors such as Aristotle, Pliny, Aldrovandi, Catesby, Ray and Seba. Of particular note are his reflections on the identification of venomous snakes based on their fangs and their concealed mechanism. Johann August Unzer’s treatise on tapeworms (Observatio de Taeniis), rendered in Latin, is appended or integrated into the text. The title was published by Elie Luzac the Younger, with Leiden and Göttingen listed as places of publication, and ranks among Klein’s most significant scientific publications. A work of particular appeal from the perspective of the history of science, straddling the boundary between encyclopaedic descriptions of nature and modern zoological systematics; of considerable interest to collectors of zoology, herpetology, and the history of medicine and science. - A few leaves with contemporary handwritten annotations; only very occasionally showing minimal staining; two leaves with small brown spots. Overall, however, a good copy. Zoology. – Herpetology. – With two folding engraved copper plates. Leiden & Göttingen, apud Eliam Luzac, June 1755. Contemporary half calf, richly gilt spine, with red spine label and vellum tips, somewhat rubbed and spotted. First edition of a seminal work of early zoology and a key text in the history of herpetology. Here, Klein employs the term ‘Herpetologia’ for the first time and attempts a systematic classification of the creeping, limbless animals he termed ‘Herpeta’. His natural-historical system does not yet follow the modern distinction between reptiles and amphibians; rather, it principally divides the animals under discussion into the orders of snakes (Anguis) and worms (Vermis), offering a revealing insight into eighteenth-century taxonomic thought. The text combines detailed morphological observations—particularly regarding the head, dentition, moulting and venom apparatus of snakes—with extensive commentary drawing on ancient and contemporary sources. Klein discusses numerous species and names, including vipers, rattlesnakes and cobras, and cites authors such as Aristotle, Pliny, Aldrovandi, Catesby, Ray and Seba. Of particular interest are his considerations regarding the identification of venomous snakes by means of their fangs and their concealed mechanism. Included within the volume, or incorporated into the printing, is Johann August Unzer’s Latin version of his treatise on tapeworms (Observatio de Taeniis). Published by Elie Luzac the Younger with the dual imprint of Leiden and Göttingen, the work ranks amongst Klein’s most important scientific publications. A particularly appealing work in the history of science, situated at the crossroads between encyclopaedic natural history and modern zoological systematics, of considerable interest to collectors of zoology, herpetology, medical history and the history of science. - A few pages contain handwritten contemporary annotations; there is only occasional minimal staining, and two pages have small brown spots. Overall, however, a good copy. A good copy.
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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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