Human malformations, last recorded at auction in 1964

Soemmerring, Samuel Thomas von. Abbildungen und Beschreibungen einiger Misgeburten die sich ehemals auf dem anatomischen Theater zu Cassel befanden.

€ 7,500.00

Only edition of this profusely illustrated collection of human malformations. "Achondroplasia is first described on page 30 and pictured on plate 11" (Garrison/M.). An English translation appeared in 1932 in R. H. Major's "Classic Descriptions of Disease". The versatile German anatomist S. T. von Soemmerring (1755-1830), one of the first members of the Senckenbergian Society, is hailed as the discoverer of the eye's Macula lutea, one of the earliest scholars to describe the Pterodactyl, and inventor of a telescope as well as of an electrical telegraph. He also was an early champion of smallpox vaccination.

Binding bumped at extremeties. Ms. inscription (c. 1820) on flyleaf: "Zum Beweise der reinsten Achtung | Aug. v. Tournier" [?]. Corners of flyleaf clipped; slight worming throughout (insignificant loss to text; more pronounced near beginning and end), otherwise fine. Extremely rare; last recorded on a German auction in 1964.