Dissertatio inauguralis zoologica de Pselaphis faunae Pragensis, cum anatomia Clavigeri

Description:

First edition, with two engraved plates by Franz Xaver Fieber. Published under the name 'Herrmannus Max. Schmidt', this was Schmidt-Göbel's doctoral dissertation, an early study of the pselaphid beetles of the Prague fauna, together with an anatomical study of Claviger. Hermann Maximilian Schmidt-Göbel (1809-1882) was a physician and coleopterist who worked particularly on Pselaphinae and later published Faunula Coleopterorum Birmaniae (1846).

Horn Schenkling 19594.

Condition

8vo, orig. plain blue wrappers, small stain to upper wrapper. Some scattered foxing. Small ink spot to one plate, not affecting printed figures. Very good.

Provenance: A remarkable double presentation and association copy linking Schmidt-Göbel, Franz Xaver Fieber and Edmond de Selys-Longchamps. Schmidt-Göbel has inscribed the copy in German to his friend Franz Xaver Fieber (1807-1872), the inscription beginning 'Meinem Freunde ... Franz Xav. Fieber', with Schmidt's signature below. Fieber, a Prague-born botanist and entomologist particularly noted for his work on Hemiptera and Orthoptera, was directly involved in the production of the present work: both engraved plates are signed 'F. Xav. Fieber sculpt.' Fieber subsequently presented the copy to the distinguished Belgian entomologist Edmond de Selys-Longchamps (1813-1900), adding a further inscription in Italian: 'Al Signor Ed. de Selys-Longchamps ... dal suo amico F.X. Fieber.' The wording provides direct evidence of the personal connection between the two entomologists. Fieber was already active in entomology in Prague at this period and shortly afterwards published on the insect fauna of the region.

An unusually attractive provenance: the author's presentation copy to the engraver of its plates, subsequently presented by Fieber to another of the leading European entomologists of the nineteenth century.