REPTILES -- GRAVENHORST, J.L.C. Reptilia Musei zoologici Vratislaviensis. Recensita et descripta. Fasciculus primus. Continens Chelonios et Batrachia. (Or:) Deliciae Musei zoologici Vratislaviensis. Fasciculus primus. Continens Chelonios et Batrachia. Lpz., L. Voss, 1829. Half-ti., 2 ti-pp., 106 pp. incl. dedic. p. and 2nd half-ti. W. 17 finely engr. plates of which 13 delicately handcoloured. Fol. Old style hcf. over marbled brds. w. raised raised bands, dec. gilt back, marbled endpapers w. or. printed label mounted before half title, uncut. (Small, skilful paper repair and some light soiling to the last text leaf lower margin, otherwise, a carefully bound, unusually clean and unmarked copy, w. the widest possible margins (i.e., text slightly larger than plates)).
A very rare work by the German herpetologist and entomologist Johann Ludwig Christian Carl Gravenhorst (1777-1857). We found only one auction record in this and the previous century. The work was published under two different titles, both present here. The alternate title, " Deliciae..." suggests that it was to be part of a larger series. This, however, is all that has been published. Nevertheless, it contains a wealth of information, including the descriptions and illustrations of many new and lesser-known species of amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders) and turtles from Gravenhorst's private collection, which he donated to the Museum of the University of Breslau (now Wroclaw), of which he became the director. The illustrations and descriptions are very detailed. The species dealt with are from various parts of the world; according to Vanzolini, three South American turtles, including at least one new species, are included. Plates I-III and V are not coloured, as always. - Adler I, p. 28; Nissen ZBI, 1682; Vanzolini I, p. 43.€ 2800
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