Zoological Literature

Abbildung mit SchildkrötenAmongst its holdings, the University Library owns a great collection of zoological literature dating from the Late Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period. These books originate from the Court Library Ansbach, University Library Altdorf and private academic libraries, mainly the Trew Library (1695-1769).

Some of the most famous treasures are: Das Buch der Natur by Konrad Megenberg (1475) with originally coloured woodcuts, Der Raupen wunderbare Verwandelung und sonderbare Blumennahrung (H62/CIM.P 38, H62/CIM.P 39) by Maria Sibylla Merian published in 1679-1683 in two volumes with originally coloured copperplate engravings. Beside the watercolours by Georg Oellinger (MS 2362), the originally coloured folioplates about lizards and salamanders by Johann Roesel von Rosenhof and the ichthyological works by Marcus Eliéser Bloch are worth mentioning.

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