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FUHLROTT, Johann Karl (1804-1877) and Hermann SCHAAFFHAUSEN (1816-1893). "Menschliche Ueberreste aus einer Felsengrotte des Düsselthals. Ein Beitrag zur Frage über die Existenz fossiler Menschen." In: Verhandlungen des naturhistorischen Vereines der preussischen Rheinlande und Westphalens. 14th year parts 1-3 (pp.50-52 and XXXVIII-XLII) and 16th year, parts 1-4 (pp. 131-153.) Bonn: Henry & Cohen, 1859.
7 parts in 5 volumes, 8o (224 x 148 mm). Original printed wrappers, uncut (chipping to spines and edges of last two volumes); cloth folding case. Provenance: IAN FLEMING (1908-1964), British author of the James Bond novels (cloth folding case, with his motto "Let the deed Show")
FIRST EDITION, JOURNAL ISSUE: THE DISCOVERY OF NEANDERTHAL MAN. In 1856 Fuhlrott, a science teacher in Elberfeld, received an assortment of fossilized bones that had been found by two quarry workers in the Feldhofer cave in the Neander Valley. The workmen had taken them for the bones of a bear, but after studying the specimens Fuhlrott "began to suspect that they were not bear bones but the remains of an ancient and primitive form of human being... [He] rushed to the grottoes in time to retrieve some ribs, the right radius, the left ulna, and part of the right scapula--all that remained of the probably perfect skeleton. At Fuhlrott's request Hermann Schaafhausen of Bonn examined the fragments and confirmed his diagnosis of their antiquity" (DSB). The two presented their findings to two regional natural history societies in 1857, but were dismayed by a generally hostile reaction. Undaunted, "Fulhrott and Schaafhausen refused to quit their positions in the extensive controversy that ensued. They appealed to the public for support and managed to attract attention beyond the borders of Germany. They gained an important ally in Sir Charles Lyell," who after examining the remains declared himself in agreement with their conclusions. It was not until after Fuhlrott's death, in 1886, that more complete specimens were unearthed and analysed "with a rigorous scientific precision that left no doubt as to the antiquity and normality of 'Neanderthal man'" (PMM 342); Norman 848. (5)
7 parts in 5 volumes, 8
FIRST EDITION, JOURNAL ISSUE: THE DISCOVERY OF NEANDERTHAL MAN. In 1856 Fuhlrott, a science teacher in Elberfeld, received an assortment of fossilized bones that had been found by two quarry workers in the Feldhofer cave in the Neander Valley. The workmen had taken them for the bones of a bear, but after studying the specimens Fuhlrott "began to suspect that they were not bear bones but the remains of an ancient and primitive form of human being... [He] rushed to the grottoes in time to retrieve some ribs, the right radius, the left ulna, and part of the right scapula--all that remained of the probably perfect skeleton. At Fuhlrott's request Hermann Schaafhausen of Bonn examined the fragments and confirmed his diagnosis of their antiquity" (DSB). The two presented their findings to two regional natural history societies in 1857, but were dismayed by a generally hostile reaction. Undaunted, "Fulhrott and Schaafhausen refused to quit their positions in the extensive controversy that ensued. They appealed to the public for support and managed to attract attention beyond the borders of Germany. They gained an important ally in Sir Charles Lyell," who after examining the remains declared himself in agreement with their conclusions. It was not until after Fuhlrott's death, in 1886, that more complete specimens were unearthed and analysed "with a rigorous scientific precision that left no doubt as to the antiquity and normality of 'Neanderthal man'" (PMM 342); Norman 848. (5)