Palaeontologia Universalis. Centuries I-II and part of Centurie III [Serie I-II; III-IV (pars)].

Berlin, Von Zittel and Oehlert, 1903-1912. Two volumes in two, and one portfolio. 4to (24.8 x 17.9 cm). Over 500 loose leaves with text and illustrations of fossil types. Uniform contemporary half calf over marbled boards; portfolio with marbled boards. Gilt title on the spines of the bound volumes. = A rare, trilingual (German, French, English) publication: "The eight International Geological Congress (Paris 1900) passed a resolution in favour of the establishment of a palaeontological publication of which the design should be the re-publication of the illustrations and descriptions of type-fossils, giving preference to the ancient forms, and to those of which the descriptions are difficult to trace by bibliographical research" (Von Zittel and Oehlert in the original printed announcement, which is included in this set). This work is a loose-leaved format containing the original illustration(s), a photo (or photos) of the type(s), and a new, detailed, diagnosis. It is interesting to see how much an original type figure and type specimen may differ from each other. Among the authors, Maurice Cossmann is most prominent. And although fossils from many groups are present, the great majority belong to the Mollusca. The editors suggested that some 150 to 160 plates would be published annually at a subscription fee of BRP 1.12, or 8 US dollars. This objective was not met. The numbering is confusing, as three different systems have been followed, namely "Centuries", used in the bound volumes; "Fascicules", which consists of various numbers of descriptions and, hence, leaves; and "Series", which contain three or four fascicules. The first volume of this set is titled "Centuria 1", and was published in five parts between 1903 and 1906, namely Serie I fascicules I-III, and Serie II fasc. I-II. Its collation is as follows: Half-title with dates of publication and list of contributors on verso; title page, second title with "Alphabetisches Verzeichniss", followed by this index (pp. i-xv); note, Mitteilung, Avis, Notice, each on a separate leaf with blank verso; list of plates (on four leaves with blank versos), running to number 94 (published August 1905) and the last six (95-100) added in a neat hand. This is followed by the description and illustration of 100 species, each with two or more (up to four) leaves with blank versos. The second volume is titled "Centuria 2", similar to the second title of the first volume, and is dated 1906-1910. The index is paginated to p. xv. On a subsequent leaf the remainder of Centuria I (numbers 95-100, crossed out; as it has been added by hand in the first volume) and the second century are given, including the numbers 201-207, which are crossed out as they strictly belong to the third century and are not included in this volume. The parts covered in this volume are Serie II, fascicule 2 (part, no's 101-111), II(3) (no's 112-125); II(4) (no's 126-160), III(1) (no's 161-187), III(2) (part, 188-200 of 207). The following have also been added, loose-leafed, in a portfolio: wrappers of Serie III, fasc. "III" (= 3); the title and index pages (numbered to xiv), and the fascicule/plate descriptions of series III(3) which run from no's 208-232, and all leaves to numbers 208-215, 217-220, 223-226 (215a misprinted 215b); wrappers and plate/fascicules description of IV(I), which runs from 233 to 257 with all leaves 233-238, and 251-257. And, finally, a printed note, stating that IV(2) would be published in 1913. However, it is possible that publication stopped with number 257, and perhaps some of the earlier missing numbers (viz. 216, 221-222; 239-250) were never published either. In any event, this is sold as the complete Centuries I-II, with part of the never completed Century III added. Boards a bit rubbed, one bound volume cocked, old library stamp on most leaf versos, otherwise all leaves in very good condition. without defects. Very rare. Not in Nissen.