Description

Berlin, privately published and J. Morino, 1783. Oblong folio (24.4 x 40.5 cm). Printed engraving with fine, original hand-colouring. = An excellent and rare plate from one of the most important 18th century books on fishes. Marcus Elieser Bloch (1723-1799), a German doctor and naturalist, is considered to be one the most important ichthyologist of the 18th-century and his collection of roughly 1500 specimens are preserved in Humboldt University's Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin. All of the prints are beautifully coloured, with a fine glazing that cannot be reproduced in modern prints. This plate from the 8vo-edition with a weak vertical fold, as usual. Slight, even toning, otherwise a very good, clean copy. No dents or tears present. Dean I, p. 139; Nissen Schöne Fischbücher, 22.