Volumes II & III (of 3), bound together. [16] (of 24); 196; 116; [8], 228, [11] pp. With 70 (of 80) copper-engraved plates, 20 of them folding. 38x24 cm. (14¾x9½"), period vellum. Second Edition.
The second and third volumes of Valentini's marvelous and important compendium of art, commerce, science and nature. The fantastic plates include depictions of shells, fossils, religious symbols occurring in nature, plants (including a banana), native fishermen, snakes, hippos, lions, boars, bears, a unicorn, birds, insects, a library, a zoo, mechanical devices, hydraulics, vacuum bottles, firearms, an airship, fountains, slide projectors, divining rods and more. The title given above is that in the first volume - the titles on the second and third volumes present here vary: II - Musei Museorum, Oder Der Vollständigen Schau Bühne frembder Naturalien Zweyter Theil...; III - Neu-auffgerichtetes Rüst- und Zeughauß Der Natur...
Condition:
Binding badly worn, vellum discolored and lacking portions, split along front joint with old attempt at stitched repair; Vol. II lacking 4 preliminary leaves, the engraved title, and 9 engraved plates (nos. 21-26, 29-30, and 332-33); Vol. II printed title creased and edgeworn, some soiling and aging to contents, good overall, sold with all faults.