Testaceo-Theologia...
Leipzig: Verlegts Michael Blochberger, 1744. First edition of the first work to state that snails reproduced sexually, as opposed to being derived from slime and scum, which was commonly believed by academics at that time; it is also an early work to note the fractal designs of snail shells, which were not studied in depth until the nineteenth-century, as well as an early work on shells in general and on their role in art and commerce. Frontisportrait of the author amongst his books. Illustrated with twenty-two copper engraved plates of shells. Binding slightly soiled. Two small indentations on front cover. Very minor foxing. Small rubber stamp of Dwight W. Taylor to upper margin of title-page. A very good, clean copy. Contemporary full vellum with title labeled in manuscript on upper spine, edges stained blue. Octavo. . [6], 984, [80] pp. Item #16451
Friedrich Christian Lesser (1692-1754) was a German theologian born at Nordhausen, who completed his education at the University of Leipsic. He initially intended to study medicine and his works, which include Lithotheologia (1735) and Insecto-theology (1740), sought to blend religion with natural history.
Dwight Willard Taylor (1932-2006) was an American malacologist, paleontologist, and a researcher of mollusks. He was responsible for the naming and describing of 132 new taxa of gastropods. Nissen 2459.
Price: $950.00