Description
The Historiae Naturalis by Johannes Jonstonus represents one of the most outstanding efforts in human history to delve into that wonderful and often mysterious world of Nature, and to compile all the vast and scattered knowledge that had been disclosed in this matter for centuries. It is the last great encyclopedic work of the Renaissance, a magna by one of the greatest naturalists of all time. A 5 stars in all Great Library!
The facsimile edition that the Siloé publishing house has carried out since 2003 of the seven splendid volumes of this Historiae Naturalis constitutes one of the most ambitious editorial projects that can be undertaken in the field of facsimile, by publishing the only complete color version of all the volumes. To do this, we started with the only original existing volume in color (the De Avibus) and with a complex and laborious work of digitizing the color used in that volume, as well as in other works that have come to us colored in the 17th century, the color was created in the plates of the rest of the volumes of the Historiae Naturalis, thus achieving the only complete color collection of the work of Johannes Jonstonus, only available through this exclusive edition.
The enormous importance of this beautiful collection is attested by the fact that for almost 200 years it was a must-see in many of the most prestigious Central European universities of the moment, especially in Germany. And that’s not to mention Japan, a country in which the Historiae Naturalis de Jonstonus not only “triumphs” and spreads, but also becomes the only source for the knowledge of the development of this science, Natural History, in West.
The collection is made up of 6 works in 7 extraordinary facsimile volumes, handcrafted in dry-cut leather, in a golden, woven, ribbed format, with individual bookends per volume, in a limited edition of 898 copies numbered with a notarial deed. Accompanied by study books that include the first Spanish version of the original Latin text and essays on the content of the work. The complete work represents an extraordinary set of engravings (almost 400 plates) illustrating one of the largest natural science compilations in history.
This article refers to the complete collection. Also on this website you can find individual copies of the 6 works that compose it.
Historiae Naturalis de Avibus, 1657:
Traditionally considered as one of the largest and most beautiful compendia of ornithology in the entire history of science.
Original printed in 1657 and later colored. 300 pages of 380 x 220 mm, and 62 copper plates, with more than 500 ornithological varieties represented, practically all the birds known at the time.
Accompanied by its corresponding study book, which includes the first translation of its Latin text into Spanish.
National Award 2004. Best edited books in 2003. Ministry of Culture. Modality: Facsimile Books. Award “Fray Luis de León” 2004 for the best editorial work. Special Editions and Facsimiles.
Historiae Naturalis de Quadrupedibus, 1652:
Magnificent replica of one of the most beautiful studies on quadrupeds in the entire history of science.
Original printed in the year 1652. 400 pages of 380 x 220 mm. 80 copper plates in which more than 350 animals are represented, colored for this exclusive collection.
Accompanied by its corresponding study book, which includes the first translation of its Latin text into Spanish.
National Prize 2006. Books best edited in 2005. Ministry of Culture. Modality: Facsimile Books.
Historiae Naturalis de Exanguibus Acuaticis et Serpentibus, 1650-1653:
Curious and beautiful treatise “of animals without blood” and snakes that finds perfect accommodation in the splendid set of this collection.
204 380 x 220 mm pages that include 32 plates with more than 300 animals represented, colored for this exclusive collection.
Accompanied by its corresponding study book, which includes the first translation of its Latin text into Spanish.
National Award 2007. Best books published in 2006. Ministry of Culture. Modality: Facsimile Books.
Historiae Naturalis de Piscibus et Cetis, 1649:
Curious and beautiful treatise on the underwater world. The underwater world, or world of silence, solemn and seductive parades through the precious plates in this volume. The powerful artistic touch of Matthäus Merian, the young man, endows all these pages with overwhelming beauty. A whole festival of shapes and marine colors.
Original printed in 1649. 314 pages of 380 x 220 mm, and 47 copper plates in which more than 500 fish and cetaceans are represented, colored for this exclusive collection.
Your corresponding study book has not yet been edited by the publisher, as soon as it is available we will send it to you at no additional cost.
Historiae Naturalis de Insectis, 1653:
Delicious volume dedicated to the fascinating world of insects. The extraordinary taxonomic work carried out by Johannes Jonstonus is evident in this treatise as well as in his entire work.
Original printed in 1653. 268 pages of 380 x 220 mm. With 28 copper plates representing an infinity of butterflies, dragonflies and striking insects, colored for this exclusive collection.
Your corresponding study book has not yet been edited by the publisher, as soon as it is available we will send it to you at no additional cost.
Historiae Naturalis de Arboribus et Fructicibus (2 volumes):
Two superb volumes containing one of the largest and most important botanical compendia of the entire modern era.
In total, 784 pages of 380 x 220 mm, and 137 copper plates, colored for this exclusive collection.
Arboribus et Fructicibus, as well as the rest of the volumes of the collection, enjoyed enormous diffusion in the best Central European universities throughout almost two centuries.
Your corresponding study book has not yet been edited by the publisher, as soon as it is available we will send it to you at no additional cost.
Collection in perfect condition.
Shipping costs on account of the buyer, according to order and destination. Consult us without obligation (indicating the reference of the article) any doubt.
