RARE large 1734 Seba antique engraving - Natural History

Description: * ALL OF OUR PRINTS ARE AUTHENTIC **Medium: Engraving on heavy-weight laid watermarked paper - RARE Source: Albertus Seba (1665–1736): "Locupletissimi Rerum Naturalium Thesauri Accurata Descriptio et Iconibus Artificiossimiis Expressio, Per Universam Physices Historiam". Printed: Amsterdam, Westen, Smith and Jansson-Waesberg, 1734–1765. Full page size (with blank margins): app. 13.75" x 20" Description: One of the great eighteenth century “cabinet of curiosities,” and one of the century’s most desirable natural history books. Albertus Seba, a German-born apothecary and a wealthy member of the Dutch East India Company, practiced in Amsterdam where his enormous "wunderkammer" became internationally famous as one of the city’s essential sights. In 1717 his first collection was sold to Peter the Great of Russia. Most of the text of the first two volumes was written by Seba himself. After his death in 1736, publication could only be continued by using the proceeds of an auction of his second collection of curiosities. Seba’s collaborators on the work included many noted scientists of the day, including H. Boerhaave, H.D. Gravius, P. Massuet and P. van Musschenbroek. Possibly the most important contribution was the description of fishes by P. Artedi, who worked at the recommendation of Linnaeus (who declined an opportunity to participate himself). The plates depict birds, mammals, insects, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, spiders, millipedes, fish, molluscs, crustacea, minerals and fossils and sixty plates depicting some six thousand examples of shells in beautiful arrangements. The book is also popular for its illustrations of monsters and freaks of nature, including a seven-headed hydra and some almost unmentionable subjects which were probably the result of vivisection. Condition: Excellent with an occasional brown spots / creasing / age-staining. Please examine the photos. Shipping: We try to ship ASAP and will combine shipping charges.Thank you for looking! Froo www.froo.com | Froo Cross Sell, Free Cross Sell, Cross promote, eBay Marketing, eBay listing Apps, eBay Apps, eBay Application

Price: 85 USD

Location: Hoboken, New Jersey

End Time: 2024-12-19T17:21:21.000Z

Shipping Cost: 10 USD