148. (Frantze, Wolfgang) Franzius Farkas: Egy jeles Vad-Kert...

... Avagy az oktalan állatoknak... őt Kőnyvekbe foglaltatott tellyes Historiaja. Melly elsöben A’ Tudós és Híres ~ ... által Deák nyelven irattatott, és sok izben kinyomtattatott. Az után A’ Bóldog Emlekezetű Miskolczi Gáspár... által, Magyar nyelvre fordíttatott...
Lőtsén, 1702. (Brewer ny.) (22)+713+(9)p.
First edition of the first independent zoological work published in Hungarian.
Gáspár Miskolczi Csulyak studied first at Sárospatak and later at universities in the Low Countries. After returning home he worked as a tutor, then served as minister at Ónod from 1658, and later at Bodrogkeresztúr, Szilágysomlyó, and Nagybánya. According to Péter Bod (Magyar Athenas), he was forced to leave Nagybánya because of “persecution for his religion” and fled to Transylvania in 1689. There, at Görgény, he began translating the popular “Historia sacra animalium” by the German Lutheran theologian Wolfgang Frantze, a work that had appeared in several languages. Miskolczi adapted the text to Hungarian conditions by omitting certain chapters, rearranging others, and supplementing the work with his own remarks. In several places – for example concerning the phoenix – he openly expressed doubts about Frantze’s assertions.
The work is divided into five books: I. Quadrupeds; II. Birds; III. Fish; IV. Reptiles and creeping creatures; V. Insects. Following the principles of Aristotle and Pliny, the animals are arranged in a rudimentary classificatory system based primarily on habitat but also considering bodily form. Descriptions of the external and internal characteristics of animals are accompanied by moral lessons and admonitions. Miskolczi later served as minister at Magyarigen and Székelyudvarhely, eventually becoming dean. A second edition appeared in 1767.
Blindstamped contemporary leather in modern hardpaper case.
RMK I 1658.
 
Starting price: ​​​​​​​600 000 Ft