Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Ransonnet-Villez, Eugen v. Ceylon, sketches of its inhabitants, its animal and plant life and investigations of the seabed near the coast. With 26 (4 coloured) tinted lithographs on rolled China. XI, 162 p., 1 sheet. Folio. HLdr. d. Zt. with gilt title on cover and spine (somewhat scuffed, rubbed and stained). Rare, currently not traceable for us in international trade. - Nissen ZBI 3288 - Wurzbach XXIV, 350 - First German edition, the original English edition was published the year before. - With splendid lithographs of the flora and inhabitants of the island drawn by the author himself. Ransonnet-Villez (1838-1926) was an Austrian diplomat, painter, lithographer, biologist and explorer. The magnificent plates are in German, English and French. They show flora, fauna, zoology and ethnographic scenes (Siniapu, Singalese women, coolies). The coloured plates of the underwater illustrations, which were executed on the basis of sketches made with a diving bell, are particularly impressive" (cf. Wurzbach). They show corals, fish and underwater geology, including Alcyonia. - Some browning due to paper, foxing throughout (some more heavily affected), occasional plates with rubbing. With 26 (4 coloured) tinted lithographs on rolled china paper. Contemp. half leather with gilt title on cover a. spine (somewhat rubbed, chafed a. soiled). - Ransonnet-Villez (1838-1926) was an Austrian diplomat, painter, lithographer, biologist and explorer. The magnificent plates inscribed in German, English and French. They depict flora, fauna, zoology (banana tree, Wackwelle hill, Pandanus group, coconut palms, lake near Colombo, forest near the Adampick, fern trees, elephant hunting etc.) as well as ethnographic sceneries (Siniapu, Singalese women, coolies). Particularly impressive are the "undersea pictures, the first to be executed on the basis of sketches taken with a diving bell" (Wurzbach). They show corals, fish and underwater geology, including Alcyonia. - Very rare, at present only one copy verifiable in international trade. - Few text pages slightly browned resp. brown-stained, 6 plates more brown-stained especially in the outer margin. This lot is taxed. A 24.95% surcharge will be added to the hammer price and 7% (books, art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, silkscreens, offset prints, photographs) to the final invoice amount in the European Union. This work is subject to the regular margin scheme. There is a 24.95% buyer's premium on the hammer price and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offsetprints and Photographs) on the final invoice amount in the European Union.