Zoology - Herpetology - Snakes Schlegel, H.(erman) Essai sur la physionomie des serpens. Text and plates with XXI engraved plates. Plates, thereon 411 figures, 3 folded maps. Maps, 2 of which partly coloured, and 2 partly coloured folded plates. Amsterdam a. Den Haag, Schonekat a. Kips, Van Stockum, 1837. 4 pp. (empty, frontispiece, title, chapter title), XXVIII, 606 (2, empty), XV (I, errata) a. 1 pp. (tit.), 21 plates, 3 folding maps, 3 folding tabs, 1 leaf. (plates) 8° and 2°. Old manuscript hardcover with decorative gilt embossed title (text volume) and old manuscript hardcover, both with marbled boards. Covers, the text volume with marb. With marble endpapers. First and only edition of this probably first scientific monograph on beating, as here complete very rare. - Nissen, C. Zoologische Buchillustration, 3684 (does not know the Hague edition of the atlas volume). - Adler, C. The Herpetological Library of Adrian Crane, AC22. - Vanzolini, P. E. Bibliography of the Land and Fresh-Water Reptiles of South America (1758-1975), vol. 1, p. 57 - "Schlegel's major substantive work ... has been and keeps being very useful, given the thoroughness of the descriptions, based primarily on the rich and well-worked Leiden collections, and complementarily on an examination of the major Continental collections of the time." (Vanzolini) - The plates show 411 snake heads, the maps the geographical distribution of snakes worldwide. - Provenance of the plate volume: 1st Zoological Society, Frankfurt am Main, with their library stamp on the title page and purchase note on flyleaf. Recto flyleaf. 2. Leopold Epstein, with his owner's stamp on flyleaf recto. On recto flyleaf. - The spine of the board volume with small losses at the capitals and rubbed, the corners and edges bumped, the binding of the text volume somewhat rubbed, the latter more heavily foxed and browned. Zoology. - Herpetology. - Snakes. - With 21 engraved plates depicting 411 illustrations, 3 folding maps, of which 2 partly coloured, as well as 2 folding and partly coloured tables - First and only edition of this probably first scientific monograph on serpents, very rare indeed in complete state. - Nissen, C. Zoologische Buchillustration, 3684 (does not know the Hague edition of present atlas volume). - Adler, C. The Herpetological Library of Adrian Crane, AC22. - Vanzolini, P. E. Bibliography of the Land and Fresh-Water Reptiles of South America (1758-1975), vol. 1, p. 57 - 'Schlegel's major substantive work ... has been and keeps being very useful, given the thoroughness of the descriptions, based primarily on the rich and well-worked Leiden collections, and complementarily on an examination of the major Continental collections of the time.' (Vanzolini) - The plates show 411 snakeheads, the maps a geographical distribution of snake population worldwide. - Provenance of the plate volume: 1. Zoologische Gesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main, with according library stamp on title page and purchase note on fly-leaf recto. 2. Leopold Epstein, with his owner's stamp on fly-leaf recto. - Spine of the atlas volume with small faults at capitals as well as worn, corners and edges bumped, binding of the text volume somewhat worn, the latter more heavily foxed and browned. 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.