The Book of Birds, Fishes, And Animals 1666 - Browsing Facsimile Editions

This rare 17th century #manuscript is one of the most important works of early modern #zoology. It was hand-written by Leonhard Baldner beginning in 1646 and only six manuscript copies survive today, including this copy from 1666. Baldner was a fisherman, naturalist, and forester from Strasbourg who was one of the first to use an aquarium to study fish and may be the first to author a text on the migration and life cycle of salmon. He also became first person to recognize the metamorphosis of the lamprey in 1666, but his discovery went unnoticed and wouldn’t be repeated until 1856. As such, he is considered to be the “father of Alsatian natural history”. His work is divided into three sections dealing with birds, fish and crustaceans, and quadrupeds and other land animals. The text originated entirely from Baldner’s own observations and does not rely on the writings of others. Strasbourg artist Johann Georg Walther was hired by Baldner to illustrate the work, which he did in spectacular fashion.