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an open book with a drawing of a fish on itan old book with a picture of a dog on it ' s cover
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1608 - Zoology – Herpetology – Ichthyology
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Estimate €360 - €500
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Zoology – Herpetology – Ichthyology Fritsch, Anton The Reptiles and Fishes of the Bohemian Cretaceous Formation. With 66 woodcuts in the text, as well as 10 lithographic plates, mostly in colour (each with an accompanying sheet of explanations). Prague, published by the author (on consignment at Fr. Rivnác), 1878. (4) 44 (2) pages. Hardback with title on cover. (Slightly stained and bumped). Sclater, Catalogue of the Library of the Zoological Society of London, 138. – With a dedication by the author on the front cover. First edition. – The work forms a central component of Fritsch’s extensive series of studies, ‘Studies in the Field of the Bohemian Cretaceous Formation’, and systematically examines the vertebrate remains of the Bohemian Cretaceous, organised under Reptilia and Pisces and presented in tabular form across the individual strata from the Cenomanian to the Turonian. Among the reptiles described are, amongst others, Polyptychodon interruptus Owen, Iguanodon exogirarum Fritsch and Chelone Benstedi Owen; amongst the fish, species such as Carcharias priscus Giebel, Beryx zippei Agassiz and Hypsodon lewesiensis Agassiz are discussed. In this context, Fritsch also introduced the term ‘Fischpläner’ for the fish-rich deposits of the Bohemian Cretaceous and listed 23 fish species therein. The 10 lithographed plates show detailed illustrations of the fossil finds, whilst the 66 woodcuts integrated into the text provide anatomical details. The publication was produced with financial support from the Provincial Research Committee for Bohemia, a testament to its official recognition as a seminal work in regional natural history research. Significance in the history of science Fritsch’s 1878 monograph is still regarded today as one of the fundamental reference works on the Cretaceous fauna of Central Europe and is continually cited in palaeontological literature, for example in works on the Cretaceous formations of Upper Silesia and in numerous later studies by Fritsch himself. A direct sequel was published in 1905 as *New Fishes and Reptiles from the Bohemian Cretaceous Formation* by Fritsch in collaboration with Dr Franz Bayer; this work explicitly builds on the 1878 monograph and supplements its fossil material. Fritsch’s complete works on the Bohemian Cretaceous are among the internationally recognised standard references in 19th-century palaeontology and established his international scientific reputation. Note on the edition: The original edition was self-published by the author, which was characteristic of Fritsch’s publishing practice – later works such as *The Crustaceans of the Bohemian Cretaceous Formation* (1887) were published in a similar format through the commission publisher Fr. Rivnác. Stamp on the endpaper; all pages and plates show water stains in the lower quarter of the page). Copies of the first edition can now be found, amongst other places, in the collections of Harvard University (Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library) and are regarded as a sought-after rarity amongst collectors of 19th-century scientific literature. Very rare. Zoology. – Herpetology – Ichthyology – Anton Fritsch. The Reptiles and Fishes of the Bohemian Cretaceous Formation. With 66 wood engravings in the text, as well as 10, mostly coloured, lithographic plates (each interleaved with a leaf of explanatory text). Prague, published by the author (on behalf of Fr. Rivnác), 1878. (4) 44 (2) pages. Original half-linen binding with title on the cover (slightly stained and bumped). – With the author’s dedicatory inscription on the front cover. First edition. - The work forms a central part of Fritsch’s extensive series of studies, ‘Studien im Gebiete der böhmischen Kreideformation’ Studies in the Field of the Bohemian Cretaceous Formation and systematically examines the vertebrate remains of the Bohemian Cretaceous, organised by Reptilia and Pisces and presented in tables according to the individual strata from the Cenomanian to the Turonian. Among the reptiles described are, amongst others, Polyptychodon interruptus Owen, Iguanodon exogirarum Fritsch, and Chelone Benstedi Owen; whilst among the fishes, species such as Carcharias priscus Giebel, Beryx zippei Agassiz, and Hypsodon lewesiensis Agassiz are discussed. In this context, Fritsch also introduced the term ‘Fischpläner’ for the fish-rich deposits of the Bohemian Cretaceous, listing 23 fish species found within them. The 10 lithographic plates feature meticulously detailed illustrations of the fossil finds, whilst the 66 wood engravings incorporated into the text provide additional anatomical details. The publication was produced with financial support from the Committee for the Regional Survey of Bohemia, evidence of its official recognition as a seminal work in regional natural history research. Scientific and historical significance. Fritsch’s 1878 monograph is still regarded today as one of the fundamental reference works on the Cretaceous fauna of Central Europe and continues to be cited in palaeontological literature, for instance in studies on the Cretaceous formation of Upper Silesia as well as in numerous later studies by Fritsch himself. A direct sequel appeared in 1905 as *Neue Fische und Reptilien aus der böhmischen Kreideformation* (*New Fishes and Reptiles from the Bohemian Cretaceous Formation*), written jointly with Dr Franz Bayer, which explicitly builds upon the 1878 monograph and supplements its fossil material. Fritsch’s complete body of work on the Bohemian Cretaceous ranks amongst the internationally recognised standard references of nineteenth-century palaeontology and established his international scholarly reputation. Note on the edition. The original edition was published at the author’s own expense, which was characteristic of Fritsch’s publishing practice – later works such as *Die Crustaceen der böhmischen Kreideformation* (1887) likewise appeared in a similar form through the contract publisher Fr. Rivnác. There is a stamp on the front endpaper; all leaves and plates bear a dampstain in the lower quarter of the page. Copies of the first edition are now held, amongst others, in the collections of Harvard University (Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library) and are regarded as a highly sought-after rarity amongst collectors of nineteenth-century natural history literature. Very rare. This lot is subject to standard taxation. 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 standard taxation. 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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