RONDELET, Guillaume. Libri de Piscibus marinis. 1554-1555.

Lyon, Mathias Bonhomme, 1554-1555.

Two parts bound in one Folio (335x212 mm), (16)-583-(1 bl.)-(24) pages / (6 on 12. 3 preliminary leaves are missing)-242-(9)-(1 bl.) pages.  binding : Contemporary full blindstamped pigskin. Covers and spine with paint in the eighteen century. Binding a little chipped. Last table leaf of first part soiled and with old repairs. Some words touched. First endpaper renewed. 

references: Norman [II, 1848 : "In this work , which covers all of marine and freshwater zoology, Rondelet relied heavily on classical authority, particulaly Aristotle. However, he also insisted on the value of experience, citing the results of his own experiments and anatomical investigations, and refusing to accept any statement contradicting what himself has observed. His 'De piscis marinis' covered far more species than in earlier work in the field. It influenced the development of ichthyological research, and remained the standard reference for over a century.
The first four books of 'De piscis marinis' constitute a general treatise on comparative anatomy, and physiology, distinguishing species by their habits, parts and actions, although Rondelet adopted no definite system of classification for these distinctions. The remainder of the work is an encyclopedia of over 300 aquatics animals, each entry giving the subject's name in several languages, and outlining its way of life, feeding habits and characteristic anatomical features.
The work is especially valuable for its accurate treatment of Mediterranean species, and for providing what are apparently the first zoological accounts the manatee and sperm whale. "].

provenance: Some old unidentified or scratched manuscript exlibris on title page. An erased stamp at the verso of the title page.

Price : 4500 €