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an old book with a black and white title on it
Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

1606 - Zoology – Herpetology
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Estimate €300 - €400
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Description
Zoology – Herpetology Wagler, Johann Georg A Natural System of Amphibians, with a Preceding Classification of Mammals and Birds. A contribution to comparative zoology. Munich, Stuttgart and Tübingen, published by J. G. Cotta, 1830. 8°. VI, 354 pp. Contemporary paperback (slightly rubbed and scuffed). Nissen, ZBI, 4278. – Cf. Biodiversity Heritage Library, Bibliography 58730. – Extremely rare; no copies known to be on the international market. First edition of the major herpetological work by Johann Georg Wagler, the Munich zoologist and curator of the zoological collection of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences. The work undertakes the ambitious task of classifying amphibians according to a ‘natural’ system, in the broader sense used at the time – that is, including reptiles, which are now treated separately. It is preceded by a systematic classification of mammals and birds, through which Wagler places his classification within a comprehensive comparative zoological context. Wagler’s treatise ranks among the important early works of scientific herpetology. It documents the shift, which began in the first third of the 19th century, away from purely external classification principles in favour of a zoology based more firmly on comparative anatomy and systematics. The work is also particularly significant for its treatment and naming of numerous genera; Wagler is associated, amongst others, with the genera Alytes, Dendrobates, Pelobates and Xenopus. The edition concludes with corrections on pp. 353–354 and includes a bibliography and an index. – The folded plate is missing. – Title page with a crease, irregular margin trimming. A few handwritten marginal notes. - A good copy. Zoology. - Herpetology. - Extremely rare; no copies have been found on the international market. First edition of the important seminal work on herpetology by Johann Georg Wagler, the Munich zoologist and curator of the zoological collections of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences. The work represents an ambitious attempt to classify amphibians – in the broader contemporary sense, thus including reptiles, which are now treated separately – according to a ‘natural’ system. It is preceded by a systematic classification of mammals and birds, placing Wagler’s scheme within a comprehensive framework of comparative zoology. Wagler’s treatise ranks amongst the important early works of scientific herpetology. It documents the shift, beginning in the first third of the nineteenth century, away from taxonomic principles based purely on external characteristics towards a zoology grounded more firmly in comparative anatomy and systematic classification. The work is of particular importance for its treatment and naming of numerous genera; Wagler is associated, amongst others, with the genera Alytes, Dendrobates, Pelobates and Xenopus. The volume concludes with corrigenda on pp. 353–354 and includes bibliographical references and an index. – The folding plate is missing. – Title page with a creased fold and irregularly trimmed margins. A few handwritten marginal annotations. – A good copy. 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.
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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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