Gesner, Conrad

Historia animalium [comprising:] Lib. I. de quadrupedibus viviparis. [with:] Lib. II. De quadrupedibus oviparis. [bound with:] Lib. III. de avium natura. [with:] Lib. IV. de piscium et aquatilium animantium natura. Zurich: Christoph Froschauer, 1551; 1554; 1555; 1558



4 volumes bound in 3, folio (15 1/8 x 9 3/8 in.; 383 x 238 mm). Woodcut coat of arms on first title, woodcut printer's device on other titles, numerous woodcut text illustrations ranging in size from near full-page to vignette, woodcut portrait of the author on title verso of  Book III; occasional light browning or spotting on a few leaves, the spotting somewhat heavier on a few quires in vols. 1 and 2, bottom two-thirds of leaf b5 in vol. 4 (part of enumeratio authorum) neatly removed due to censorship with underlining and crossouts on remainder of leaf, tear in upper margin of leaf mm5 in vol. 4 affecting woodcut fish. Antique vellum, old gold-stamped leather title labels on spines; covers renewed with old vellum and bowing, library shelfmarks neatly written on titles and repeated on title versos.

Adams G-532, 533, 535, 538; Nissen IVB 349 (Book III); Nissen ZBI 1549 ( Book I), 1550 (Book II), 1553 (Book IV) 

First editions, "... a great step forward ... the most authoritative zoological book between Aristotle and the publication of Ray's classification of fauna in 1693 ... it remained the standard reference book even as late as Linné and beyond, because neither Linné nor Ray included illustrations" (PMM).

The present set includes the first four volumes, dealing with quadrupeds, birds and fishes, the animals arranged alphabetically, with each discussed according to eight headings: name in different languages, habitat and physical description, diseases and intellectual faculties, mental life and habits, utility to man, use as food, use in medicine, and literary history. Gesner drew upon the best sources available to him including ancient authorities and contemporary experts (mostly named). The posthumous fifth volume, on serpents, appeared in 1587.