Oryktographia Norica, sive Rerum Fossilium et ad Minerale Regnum Pertinentium, in Territorio Norimbergensi Ejusque Vicinia Observatarum Succincta Descriptio.
Norimbergae (Nuremberg): Wolfgangi Michahellis, 1708. First edition. Small 4to. (viii), 102 pp. Contemporary full vellum, gilt lettered morocco label, 19th century armorial bookplate of Cecil Deedes to the front pastedown. Frontispiece and 6 folding plates of fossils, all finely engraved by Johann Georg Puschner. Slight wear to the spine label, a little foxing to the frontispiece and some light marginal dampstaining at intervals, a very good copy overall. An uncommon and groundbreaking work in the sciences of geology and palaeontology, being an early attempt to provide a systematic classification of the fossils found in and around Nuremberg. The work paved the way for later analyses of fossils and the history of the earth on a more scientific basis. Baier proposed issuing additional volumes, but only managed a single supplement (published 1730) before his death at the age of 58. His son Ferdinand subsequently published an equally scarce second supplement in 1757 and an expanded second edition a year later using his papers. The fine plates feature just under 200 illustrations of samples collected. Item #30985
Price: £1,875.00