Anker p.10-11: "The volume dealing with birds. Although the Historia animalium does not yet show any recognition of a connexion between different forms of living nature and fails to conform to our modern ideas of biological research, it was a great step forward and remained the most authoritative zoological book between Aristotle and the publication of Ray's classification of fauna in 1693" (PMM). The first four volumes deal with quadrupeds, birds and fishes the posthumous fifth volume with snakes and, in an appendix, scorpions. His 'History of Animals' is an encyclopedia of contemporary knowledge, intended to replace not only medieval compilations but even Aristotle's work of the same title. "Conrad Gesner was one of the great polymaths of the Renaissance. THE FIRST GERMAN EDITION of the second volume (on birds) of Gesner's monumental work of natural history, often regarded as "the starting-point of modern zoology" (Anker). Provenance: later pencil inscription on the front pastedown explaining the initials on the front cover: "V(on) G(ottes) G(naden) J(oachim) E(rnst) F() Z(u) A(nhalt)" later illegible pencil signature on front free endpaper Edwin Schindler 1950 (marginal stamp on title). EXCEPTIONALLY FINELY BOUND IN ELABORATE CONTEMPORARY BLIND-STAMPED PANELLED PIGSKIN, with small figures of the Apostles, and old, probably original, engraved clasps, the upper cover with the initials "VGGJEFZA" and the date "1561" stamped in black, the spine with 5 raised bands (some light staining and rubbing). Woodcut illustration on title, initials, 219 fine woodcut illustrations of birds, most attributed to Lukas Schan or Schram of Strasbourg (a few small holes to title not affecting letters or illustration, 3 leaves torn without loss not affecting illustrations, marginal stain starting at LXXXVI and expanding towards the end, but not affecting text or illustration, a few other mainly marginal stains and spots). Darin die art, natur und eigenschafft aller vöglen. FIRST GERMAN EDITION.GESNER, Conrad (1516-65). Vogelbuch, Zürich, 1557, 219 fine woodcut illustrations of birds, in an EXCEPTIONALLY FINE contemporary pigskin binding.
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