Microscopisch-analytische Beschreibungen und Abbildungen neuer und zweifelhafter Laub-Moose wie auch anderer zu der cryptogamischen Classe des Linné gehöriger Gewächse.
Eur 7,500 / USD 8,200
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Leipzig, In der Gleditschischen Buchhandlung, vol. 1, 1797; In der Johann Gottfried Müllerschen Buchhandlung, vol. 2, 1789; In der Joh. F. Gleditschischen Buchhandlung, vols. 3-4,1791. 4 parts bound in one. Folio (400 x 255mm). With 160 fine hand-coloured engraved plates. Contemporary half calf, gilt decorated spine in 7 compartments with gilt lettered label (frontcover hinge broken but firm).
the most splendidly produced work on mosses
An extremely rare German language edition of Hedwigs 'Descriptio et adumbratio microscopico-analytica Muscorum Frondosorum nec non aliorum vegetantium e classe cryptogamica Linnaei novorum dubiisque' Leipzig (1785-) 1787-1797. The work is the most splendidly produced work on mosses and the fine plates are all after drawings by the author. Johann Hedwig (1730-1799) is the founder of modern bryology. "Distinguished above all for exact and patiently repeated observations, Hedwig's work depended on the skillful use of dissection and the compound microscope. At first he used a simple lens magnifying 6x, but successive improvements to the compound microscope given to him by Koehler he was eventually able to use magnifications of up to 290x... the figures in his 'Descriptio' (1787-1797) are among the most accurate and beautiful illustrations of mosses of his own or any other period" (DSB).
"Two factors helped Hedwig to success: first, his own technical skill in improving the magnification and optical performance of his microscope (he attained magnifications of almost x300 and usually stated the magnification of individual figures); and second, the long period of close study of a single group of related plants" (Morton).
The only bibliography to mention this extremely rare German edition separately is Stafleu & Cowan. The present copy has the same number of pages and plates but different dates. The title page of the first volume is probably the general title of the last volume. First title with label on verso 'Jacob Vogel 1800'. A nice copy with some minor occasional foxing.
Stafleu & Cowan 2528.