La première (-seconde) partie de l'histoire entière des Poissons. Composée premierement en Latin. Avec leurs pourtraits au naïf.

RONDELET, G.

About this Item

Lion, M. Bonhome, 1558. 2 parts in one volume. Folio (278 x 203mm). pp. (12), 418, (14); pp.(4), 181, (1 blank), (10), with woodcut portrait of Rondelet and printer's devise (both repeated) and about 420 fine woodcuts of fishes, shells and some other marine animals. Contemporary vellum. A fine copy of the first French edition of the most important work on fishes published in the 16th century. It covers more species (over 300) than the works of Belon (1553) or Salviani (1554-57). For over a century the work remained unchallenged as the standard work on the subject. The original Latin edition with the same woodcuts was published by the same publisher in 1554-55. Apart from fishes over a hundred molluscs are illustrated. "In his own day Rondelet was almost as well known as an anatomist as a zoologist. A popular lecturer, Rondelet attracted scholars from all over Europe: Coiter and Bauhin; L'Écluse; L'Obel. Gesner and Aldrovandi also studied briefly under him . For those fish he could inspect on the coast of Languedoc, Rondelet is thorough and usually accurate; the work long remained the basic guide to the region" (DSB).One index leaf with some marginal discoloration of the paper, and a small marginal black spot on another leaf. Small damage to spine.Provenance: Armorial bookplate of Eduard de Laplane, as well as an old inscription on title dated 1618.Nissen ZBI, 3475; Wood p. 541.

Seller Inventory # 7355

Bibliographic Details

• Title: La première (-seconde) partie de l'histoire entière des Poissons. Composée premierement en Latin. Avec leurs pourtraits au naïf.
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Fine Illustrated Natural History Books