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an open book with a drawing of a snake on it
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1593 - Zoology – Herpetology
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Estimate €500 - €700
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Description
Zoology – Herpetology Lenz, Harald Othmar The Study of Snakes. With 29 largely coloured illustrations on 10 lithographic plates. Gotha, Beckersche Buchhandlung, 1832. XIV, 2 leaves, 359 pp. 8° and landscape 4°. Contemporary half-leather binding with a red title label. Rare first edition. – Nissen ZBI, 2447. - First edition of this important, richly illustrated German-language work on herpetology. In it, Harald Othmar Lenz examines not only the natural history and systematics of snakes but also their anatomy, way of life, reproduction, diet and geographical distribution. Particular emphasis is placed on his account of European species, notably the native ones, amongst which the common European adder occupies a central place. Lenz’s study combines his own observations and experiments, gathered over a long period, with a comprehensive evaluation of natural history reports on non-European snakes. His experiments on the mode of action of adders’ venom, as well as the carefully compiled data on the most important exotic species, established the book’s enduring scientific value. - Endpapers and flyleaves replaced; bookplate on inside front cover; stamp and sticker on flyleaf; small name sticker on inside back cover; stamp on title page; 4 plates neatly backed at the fold crease; otherwise in good condition. Zoology. – Herpetology. – Rare first edition. – Nissen, ZBI, 2447. – First edition of this important, richly illustrated German-language work on herpetology. Harald Othmar Lenz addresses not only the natural history and systematics of snakes, but also their anatomy, habits, reproduction, diet and geographical distribution. Particular emphasis is placed on European species, especially the native ones, amongst which the common European viper (Vipera berus) occupies a central position. Lenz’s study combines his own long-term observations and experiments with a comprehensive review of natural-historical accounts concerning non-European snakes. His experiments on the effects of common European viper venom, as well as the carefully compiled information on the principal exotic species, account for the work’s enduring scientific importance. - The cover and endpapers have been replaced; there is a bookplate on the inside front cover, a stamp and label on the front endpaper, a small ownership label on the inside rear cover, and a stamp on the title page. Four plates have been neatly reinforced along the fold; otherwise in good condition. 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 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.
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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