Books and Manuscripts

Pallas, P(eter).S(imon).
Spicilegia Zoologica Quibus Novae Imprimis et Obscurae Animalium Species…
Berlin: Gottl. August. Lange, 1767-74. First edition. Volume one (of two) only, comprising 10 (of an eventual 14) fascicules. 4to. With a general title-page, dated 1774; each fascicule with separate title-page. Illustrated with 43 (of an eventual 58) engraved plates (two folding) and woodcut head- and tail-pieces, by Glassbach and Schuster, after Schouman, Hiller, Decker, and others. Full near-contemporary paste paper-covered boards, green paper spine label with title in manuscript, boards and extremities rubbed and worn, joints and spine rubbed; edges stained red; ownership signature of German zoologist Hermann Burmeister (1807-92) on front free endpaper; other ownership signatures at top of general title-page; plate III and pp. 11-14 proud in third fascicule; lacking rear free endpaper. 

First edition of the first ten parts of Prussian zoologist Peter Simon Pallas's work on the animal life of Central Asia and Siberia, featuring 43 finely engraved plates depicting various quadrupeds, birds, fish, and insects. A second volume, featuring parts 11-14, and with an additional 15 plates, was published between 1776-80. 

Hermann Burmeister was born in Stralsund, Germany, and graduated doctor of philosophy and medicine from the University of Halle and Greifwald, in 1829. From 1837 to 1861 he was a professor of zoology at the University of Halle-Wittenberg, where he published major works on entomology. From 1850-52, with the support of Alexander von Humboldt, he traveled to South America and made extensive studies in Minas Gerais and Rio de Janiero, and collected hundreds of insect specimens. In 1862 he became the Director of the National Museum of Natural History in Buenos Aires, headed the Academy of Sciences, and helped form the scientific faculty at the University of Cordoba.