THE HISTORY OF FOUR-FOOTED BEASTS AND SERPENTS, whereunto is now added the FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH OF THEATER OF INSECTS . by TOPSELL, Edward and Thomas Muffet. (Moffet): - 1658

London, printed by E. Cotes, for G. Sawbridge at the Bible on Ludgate-hill, T. Williams at the Bible in Little-Britain, and T. Johnson, at the Key in Pauls Church-yard, 1658.. Describing at large their true and lively figure, their several names, conditions, kinds, virtues (both natural and medicinal) countries of their breed, their love and hatred to mankind, and the wonderful work of God in their creation, preservation, and destruction. Interwoven with curious variety of historical narrations out of Scriptures, fathers, philosophers, physicians, and poets: illustrated with divers hieroglyphicks and emblems, &c. both pleasant and profitable for students in all faculties and professions. Collected out of the writings of Conradus Gesner and other authors, by Edward Topsel. Whereunto is now added, THE FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH OF THE THEATER OF INSECTS; or, Lesser living creatures: as bees, flies, caterpillars, spiders, worms, &c. A most elaborate work: by T. Muffet, Dr. of Physick. The whole revised, corrected, and inlarged with the addition of two useful physical tables, by J.R. M.D. SECOND EDITION. Revised and corrected edition in 3 parts each with its own title page, 1658. Folio bound in sixes, approximately 320 x 200 mm, 12½ x 8 inches, woodcut illustration to title pages, numerous woodcut illustrations to text including some full-page, pages: [16], 1-818, [18], 889-1130, [6], including half-title, collation the same as ESTC. Bound in 19th century half morocco, gilt title to spine and date at foot of spine, endpapers replaced when bound, cloth covers. Binding rubbed and some scuffing, black ink stain to top of lower cover, shelf wear to edges of covers, half-title and title page dusty with narrow strengthening repairs to edges on blank side, tear to corner of page 198, with loss of text (see attached image), facsimile loosely inserted with the missing text, 5 inch neat repair with old paper to 1 margin, not affecting text, several other minor repairs to margins, not affecting text, 2 short closed tears just running into text, but no loss, occasional small closed tear to margins, a few tips of top corners missing all nowhere near text, pale browning and stainning to margins, old ink name and date to half-title, a good copy of a work often found defective and in bad condition, it was one of the great picture books of the 17th century and well used. See: A Catalogue of Printed Books in the Wellcome Library, Volume 5, page 285; A Bibliography of British Lepidoptera 1608-1799 by Arthur A. Lisney, page No. 6; British Bee Books A Bibliography 1500-1976, page 42 & 43, No.17; Mary Aslin, Catalogue of the Printed Books on Agriculture 1471-1840, page 128; G.E. Fussell, Old Engish Farming Books 1523 to 1730, page 34; ESTC R6249. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE, FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.