J.A. Scopoli | Deliciae Florae et Faunae Insubricae seu novae. Ticino, 1786-88, 3 parts in one, contemporary vellum

Johann Anton Scopoli

Deliciae Florae et Faunae Insubricae seu novae, aut minus cognitae species plantarum et animalium quas in Insubria Austriaca tam spontaneas.... Ticino: Monasterii S. Salvatoris, 1786-1788

3 parts in one volume, folio (422 x 280mm.), 3 engraved frontispieces, 3 vignettes showing the Pavia Botanic Garden, and 75 engraved plates, contemporary vellum, gilt spine label, red edges, good condition, extremities slightly rubbed

A FINE COPY WITH WIDGE MARGINS OF THIS RARE WORK in an attractive contemporary Italian binding, containing "[g]ems of the flora and fauna of Lombardy, including native and exotic species which have lived there [...] Each copper plate was executed at the expense of a separate patron. The book is very rare" (McGill/Wood).

Scopoli was a professor of botany at Pavia, and this work was printed at the monastery of San Salvatore, Pavia. This work is of greatest rarity in a complete state as sheets were destroyed during the siege and capture of Pavia.

The work includes 9 plates of insects, 2 of shells, 2 of snakes, 4 of fish, 2 of birds, one of a monkey, and one of minerals, with all others depicting plants.

LITERATURE:

McGill/Wood, 559; Pritzel, 8558