Gesner, Conrad

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 USD

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Description

Gesner, Conrad
Historie Animalium liber quartus, qui est de Piscibus et Aquatilium animantium natura. Cum iconibus singulorum ad vivum expressis fere omnib. Zurich, Christoph Froschauer, 1558
Ink, paper, wood, pig

Folio (15 1/2 x 9 3/4 in.; 393 x 250 mm). Printer's device on title page, woodcut initials, illustrated with more than 700 woodcuts of fish, sea-animals and other items; inscription and ownership note on title page; spotting and foxing, wormholes (mainly in margins). Contemporary German blind-stamped pigskin. Uniformly rubbed; clasps missing, spine faded.

Provenance

Thanmüller and Hofsteter (presentation copy) — Heirs of Hofsteter (ex-dono) — Newbury College (ownership inscription on title page, dated "1638") — E.H.W. Meyerstein (Sotheby's London, 15 December 1952, lot 170). acquisition: Lanthrop Harper, 1962

Literature

Adams G-538; Nissen ZBI 1553 (Book IV); Ley, Konrad Gesner, 28.

Catalogue Note

First edition of Gesner's monumental zoological work, the fourth volume only (of 4) on fish, and sea- and fresh-water animals.

Presentation copy inscribed by Gesner with a one-line autograph signed inscription on title page to two of his friends: the surgeon Johannes Thanmüller and the pharmacist Johannes-Baptist Hofsteter: "Ornatissimo viro D. Io. Thanmüllero iuniori, chirurgo illustris. Augustanae Reip. celeberismo [or celeberrimo], simul et D. Io. Baptisto Hofstetero pharmacopeo eximio dnis et amicis suis charissimis Con. Gesnerus D.D."

Underneath Gesner's inscription, are three-lines ex-dono (probably) written by Thanmüller, giving the volume to the family of Hofsteter: "Ioannes Thanmullerus, Ionnais Darrismo Hofsteter[...] et filiis finis partam [...] cum liber dividi non potuit. D.D."