Belon, De aquatilibus, Paris, Estienne, 1553, contemporary limp vellum

Pierre Belon

De aquatilibus, libri duo cum ειconibus ad vivam ipsorum effigiem, quoad eius fieri potuit, expressis. Paris: Charles Estienne, 1553

oblong 8vo (107 x 168mm.), woodcut initials and illustrations, contemporary limp vellum, occasional light staining, binding slightly soiled, lower hinge broken, lacking two pairs of ties

Belon's charming small-format work on fish and other aquatic animals (including some reptiles and amphibians) was the result of personal observation during his travels around Europe. The captions for the woodcut illustrations give the names in various languages and dialects, depending on where in Europe the fish and animals are found.

LITERATURE:

Nissen SFB 13; Nissen ZBI 302; USTC 151230

PROVENANCE:

André Gaultry, of Senones, bookplate (slightly torn)