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SPALOWSKY, Joachim Johann Nepomuk (1752-1797). Vorbothe der Naturgeschichte. Vienna: J. Hraschanzky, 1789.
Very rare natural history work which includes five plates of orangutans, and discussion of their form and their relationship with humans. Spalowsky was official physician to the Bürgerliches Regiment of Vienna, and the author of several books on natural history, the least uncommon being Beytrag zur Naturgeschichte der Vögel (1790-1795). This is one of Spalowsky's earliest works, and in the introduction he states that he has produced it as a 'taster' ('Vorgeschmack') for his collected work on natural history. It may be that this is the harbinger of his planned 10-volume Naturgeschichte der vierfüssigen Thiere, Vögel, Amphibien und Conchylien, nebst Abhandlungen der ökonomischen Wissenschaft, dann der Numismatik (Vienna, n.d.). This ambitious project is recorded only in Graesse (VI, 457), and was probably never realised. Impressive, highly coloured 'illuminated' natural history works by Spalowsky exist, which were probably intended to solicit patronage, including that of Franz II and Maria Theresa. It may be that despite his efforts Spalowsky was unable to realise his grandiose scheme, and that the present lot is the only extant part. Extremely rare. Worldcat records 7 copies in institutions, of which only one is in the USA (Kenneth Spencer Research Library, Kansas). Nissen ZBI 3924.
Quarto (280 x 210mm). Engraved frontispiece and 25 plates (lightly staining throughout, occasional light scattered spotting). Original blue-grey wrappers, uncut (lightly soiled and stained, edges a trifle creased, some tiny losses to spine).
Very rare natural history work which includes five plates of orangutans, and discussion of their form and their relationship with humans. Spalowsky was official physician to the Bürgerliches Regiment of Vienna, and the author of several books on natural history, the least uncommon being Beytrag zur Naturgeschichte der Vögel (1790-1795). This is one of Spalowsky's earliest works, and in the introduction he states that he has produced it as a 'taster' ('Vorgeschmack') for his collected work on natural history. It may be that this is the harbinger of his planned 10-volume Naturgeschichte der vierfüssigen Thiere, Vögel, Amphibien und Conchylien, nebst Abhandlungen der ökonomischen Wissenschaft, dann der Numismatik (Vienna, n.d.). This ambitious project is recorded only in Graesse (VI, 457), and was probably never realised. Impressive, highly coloured 'illuminated' natural history works by Spalowsky exist, which were probably intended to solicit patronage, including that of Franz II and Maria Theresa. It may be that despite his efforts Spalowsky was unable to realise his grandiose scheme, and that the present lot is the only extant part. Extremely rare. Worldcat records 7 copies in institutions, of which only one is in the USA (Kenneth Spencer Research Library, Kansas). Nissen ZBI 3924.
Quarto (280 x 210mm). Engraved frontispiece and 25 plates (lightly staining throughout, occasional light scattered spotting). Original blue-grey wrappers, uncut (lightly soiled and stained, edges a trifle creased, some tiny losses to spine).
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