Zoology - Herpetology Aldrovandi, Ulisse Serpentum, et draconum historiae libri duo ... With 1 etched title by G. B. Coriolano, 61, mostly large-format and often full-page illustrations, as well as some initials, mouldings and vignettes, all in woodcut. Bologna, Clemente Ferroni, 1640. 3 pp. (title, printed dedication, privilege), 427 (1) p., 14 pp. (index, flyleaf endpapers). 2°. Central paperback over five bindings, the edges speckled red. Title edition of Aldrovandi's fascinating work on beating and mythical creatures, published shortly after the first edition. - Nissen, C. Zoological book illustration, 78th - . - A transitional work published posthumously by Bartolomeo Ambrosini from the estate of the author, the Bolognese physician, biologist and writer Ulisse Aldrovandri (1522-1605), between the natural history of the ancients (according to Pliny and others) and the new, empirical zoology. A fascinating, large-format and opulently illustrated panopticon in which basilisks, dragons and other mythical creatures are depicted alongside real snakes. - This is the title edition from 1640, without the prelude and the colophon with printer's mark and date MDXXXIX - Missing paginations 96 instead of 98, 235 instead of 236, jump from 389 to 392 instead of 390, then numbering up to 427 two digits too large. (Complete according to the sequence and signature.) - Provenance: Eduardo Obejero Urquiza, with his lithograph. Ex-libris on the front pastedown. - Binding somewhat worm-eaten at joints and spine, binding cover with losses, title page with repaired tear, but without loss of text, leaf K1 waterstained throughout, leaves S2 and Aa4 with backed small loss, several leaves waterstained in places, some pages slightly fingerstained, otherwise a clean, wide-margined copy. Zoology. - Herpetology. - With 1 etched title by G. B. Coriolano, 61 wood-cut illustrations, mostly in large-format and often full-paged, as well as some wood-cut initials, head-pieces and vignettes. - Second imprint of the first edition of Aldrovandi's fascinating work on serpents and mythical creatures. - A transitional work published posthumously by Bartolomeo Ambrosini from the manuscript of the author, the Bolognese physician, biologist and writer Ulisse Aldrovandri (1522-1605). The account oscillates between natural history of the ancients (after Pliny and others) and new, empirical zoology. A fascinating, large-format and opulently illustrated panopticon in which basilisks, dragons and other mythical creatures are depicted alongside snakes and other real reptiles. - This is the second imprint from 1640, without the prelims and the colophon incorporating a printer's mark and dated MDXXXIX. - Erroneous pagination: 96 instead of 98, 235 instead of 236, jump from 389 to 392 instead of 390, then numbering up to 427 two digits too large. (Complete according to the custodes and signature however.) - Provenance: Eduardo Obejero Urquiza, with his lithographed bookplate on front paste-down. -Cover somewhat worm-eaten at joints and spine, boards with faults, title page with repaired tear (but without loss of text) lv. K1 water-stained throughout, lvs. S2 and Aa4 with backed loss, several leaves water-stained in places, some pages slightly fingerstained, otherwise a clean, wide-margined copy. This lot is taxed. The hammer price is subject to a 24.95% buyer's premium and 7% (books, art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, silkscreens, offset prints, photographs) on 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.