Lot 1027
1027
JONSTON, J. Naeukeurige Beschryving Van de Natuur der Vier-voetige dieren, Vissen en Bloedlooze Water-Dieren, Vogelen, Kronkel-Dieren, Slangen en Draken. (Uyt'et Latyn Vertaelt d. M. Grausius. Amst., J.J. Schipper, 1660). 6 parts in 1 vol. (8), 194; (6), 179; 56; 181, (3); (8), 152; 39, (1) pp. W. 4 engr. titles, and 249 (of 250) full-p. engr. plates, all in old handcolouring. Fol. Cont. blind tooled vellum with raised bands. (Upper joint reinforced, corners worn, plate 4 of last part ('snakes') is lacking, some wormholes to inner blank margin, a bit thumbed in places, a few (faint) stains).
Animal encyclopaedia for laymen. The book was presented as a gift to the Japanese ruler Shogun Yoshimune. It was the only source of knowledge of western natural history in Japan, until in 1750. This is the only Dutch translation of the 'Theatrum universale historiae naturalis'. The engraved plates, which - according to Anker, Bird Books, 234 - "(…) have evidently been executed by Kaspar Merian and Mattheus Merian" all contain several figures, among which several fable creatures, as for instance the Phoenix, Harpy, Griffon and Mermaids. - Nissen, ZBI, 213.€ 2400
result € 7500
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