Les observations de plusieurs singularitez et choses memorables, trouvées en Grece, Asie, Iudée, Egypte, Arabie, & autres pays estranges [...].

8vo: [8]-375-[1] ff. (missing 16 Index ff. at end and the folding map of Sinai; title sl. soiled, damp stain in lower inner margin of 2nd half).

17th-c. mottled calf, gilt ruled border on covers, gilt spine with 4 raised bands (sl. rubbed). Good copy.

The first book with illustrations printed and published by Plantin. Early repr. (1st 1553) of "this influential work on the history, geography, and natural history of the Near and Middle East by the French naturalist and explorer Pierre Belon du Mans (born 1517 - murdered in Paris, 1564). Belon travelled through these regions between 1546 and 1550 and made numerous observations on the plants and their use, on animals (including a great deal on herpetology), people (with their various costumes), and towns. The work includes [...] a map/view of Alexandria. His reports are generally correct and not rooted in fantasy and hearsay [...], the sole exception being the illustration of a small dragon-like creature. Other woodcuts show trees, birds, mammals, snakes, a crocodile, a giraffe, a lobster, etc." (Schierenberg). Woodcut author’s portrait (*8v). 45 woodcut ill. (most by Arnold Nicolai). Revised ed. printed in italics.
Ref. Voet (PP) 637A. - BT 289. - Sorgeloos 127.