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an old book with a drawing of a lizard and a fishan old book with a drawing of turtles and turtles on itan old drawing of a variety of different types of shellsan old book with two red leather covers sitting on top of each other
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1609 - Zoology – Herpetology – Ophiology
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Estimate €360 - €500
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Description
Zoology – Herpetology – Ophiology Bonaterre, Pierre-Joseph Encyclopaedic and Methodical Survey of the Three Kingdoms of Nature, dedicated to and presented to Mr Necker, Minister of State and Director-General of Finance. I. Herpetology. Paris, published by Panckoucke, 1789. With 25 copperplate plates. - XXXVIII, 70 pp., 1 leaf. II. Ophiology. Paris, published by Panckoucke, 1790. With 43 copperplate plates. 4°. 19th-century half-leather binding. (slightly rubbed and scuffed). Nissen 4621. – First edition of the volume on herpetology, edited by the French naturalist and Abbé Pierre-Joseph Bonnaterre, as part of the *Encyclopédie méthodique* published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke. The work was published in 1789 with royal approval and privilege and is dedicated to Jacques Necker, the French Minister of Finance at the time. The text is set in two columns and is supplemented by an extensive set of plates. Under the heading ‘Erpétologie’, Bonnaterre groups together those animal groups which, according to modern terminology, comprise primarily amphibians and reptiles. The copperplate engravings in the *Erpétologie* illustrate the diversity of the amphibians and reptiles covered. In particular, it features turtles, crocodiles, lizards, geckos, chameleons, salamanders, newts, frogs and toads. The animals are usually depicted against a neutral background, often in profile, with several species or detailed illustrations sometimes appearing on a single sheet. This clearly highlights the characteristics essential for identification: the proportions and posture of the body, the shape of the head and snout, the scales, the structure of the limbs, the number and structure of the toes, shell markings, as well as skin texture and spot patterns. Particular emphasis is placed on the comparative presentation of similar forms. In the case of tortoises, the plates illustrate the different structures of the carapace and plastron; for lizards and chameleons, the profile of the head, toe structure and scale pattern are clearly highlighted. The amphibian plates draw attention to the characteristic differences between salamanders, newts, frogs and toads. The plates are not merely decorative, but serve as a scientific aid for the visual identification and comparison of species. The engravings were executed under the supervision of Bénard. The accompanying section on ophiology extends the series of plates to include snakes. Their illustrations focus on the external characteristics that were decisive for the classification of the time: length and proportions of the body segments, head shape, eye position, scaling, markings on the upper surface, tail structure, and the shape of the snout and teeth. In addition to the animals depicted in elongated full-length views, enlarged details of the head or body allow for the comparative examination of individual diagnostic features. – Bottom right with a narrow, partly uneven watermark. – Otherwise a fine copy. Zoology. – Herpetology. – Ophiology. – With 25 engraved copper plates. and with 43 engraved copper plates. – Contemporary 19th-century half calf (somewhat rubbed and scuffed). Nissen 4621. - First edition of the section on herpetology prepared by the French naturalist and Abbé Pierre-Joseph Bonnaterre for Charles-Joseph Panckoucke’s *Encyclopédie méthodique*. Published in 1789 with royal approval and privilege, the work is dedicated to Jacques Necker, then French Minister of Finance. The text is printed in two columns and supplemented by an extensive series of plates. Under the heading ‘Erpétologie’, Bonnaterre grouped together those animal classes which, in modern terminology, comprise primarily amphibians and reptiles. The engraved plates in the *Erpétologie* illustrate the diversity of the amphibians and reptiles discussed, notably turtles, crocodiles, lizards, geckos, chameleons, salamanders, newts, frogs and toads. The animals are generally depicted against a plain background, often in profile, with several species or enlarged details sometimes appearing on a single plate. This makes the characteristics essential for identification clearly visible: the proportions and posture of the body, the shape of the head and snout, the arrangement of scales, the structure of the limbs, the number and arrangement of the toes, the pattern of the shell, as well as skin texture and markings. Particular emphasis is placed on the comparative representation of related forms. In the case of turtles, the plates illustrate the differing structure of the carapace and plastron; in lizards and chameleons, the profile of the head, the arrangement of the toes, and the structure of the scales are carefully delineated. The amphibian plates highlight the characteristic distinctions between salamanders, newts, frogs and toads. The plates are not merely decorative, but serve as scientific aids for the visual identification and comparison of species. The engravings were produced under the direction of Bénard. The bound-in *Ophiologie* expands the illustrated collection to include snakes. Its illustrations focus on the external features considered decisive for classification at the time: the length and proportions of the various body sections, head shape, position of the eyes, scaling, dorsal patterning, the shape of the tail, and the shape of the mouth and teeth. Alongside the animals shown in full-length view, enlarged details of the head and body allow for a comparative study of individual diagnostic features. With a narrow, in places somewhat more pronounced water stain in the lower right margin. Otherwise 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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