1665 Rare Latin Book - Unicorn, Griffin, Dragon, Basilisk, Franz's Historia Animalium.
(Description)
Author: Wolfango Franzio (Franz, Wolfgang).
Title: Historia animalium, in qua plerorumque animalium praecipuae proprietates in gratiam studiosorum theologiae, & ministrorum verbi ad usum eikonologikon breviter accommodantur.
Publisher: Amstelaedami, Joannem Ravesteinium, 1665.
Language: Text in Latin.
Size: 5.5" X 3.5".
Pages: [44 including engraved title-page], 779, [53] Index pages. (Complete).
Binding: Very good contemporary full vellum binding (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed and worn - as shown) under a protective mylar cover.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight, and clean, rare light foxing and staining - as shown, old handwritten annotation to one page - as shown, last blank endpaper free leaf removed - as shown).
Illustration: Complete with the engraved frontispiece depicting various animals with a religious inscription.
Estimate: (USD 750 - USD 1200).
The book: This rare edition of Historia Animalium offers a fascinating glimpse into the theological and moral interpretations of animal life in the 17th century. It is especially notable for its inclusion of mythical creatures like the Basilisk, Unicorn, Griffin, and Dragon, and more common animals as the elephant, the rhinoceros, the crocodile and the chameleon. reflecting the blending of scientific, religious, and mythical knowledge during the period.
The author: Wolfgang Franz (1564-1628) was a German theologian and professor at the University of Wittenberg. His works often combined religious and scientific observations, with Historia Animalium being one of his most influential publications.