ID 887795
Lot 22 | Ausführliche Nachricht von neu entdeckten Zoolithen unbekannter vierfüsiger Thier
Estimate value
$ 4 500 – 6 000
Lovely, crisp copy of the first edition of the first work on the discovery of human fossils, with vivid hand-coloring. Esper discovered the fossilized remains of extinct animals and human bones in the cave of Gaillenreuth in Bavaria, becoming the first to identify and describe the remains not only of the prehistoric cave bear, but of early hominids. Although Esper considers the possibility that early humans lived alongside now-extinct megafauna, he ultimately concludes that the fossils must have been brought together by the Biblical flood. The fine plates by V. Bischoff, J.A. Eisenmann and A. Hoffer depict the cave bear bones at Gaillenreuth.
"A new epoch in the literature of caves began with Esper’s investigation of fossil remains of mammalian bones discovered in the Franconian caves. Interest then centred on the paleontological significance of the remains in cave deposits" (Zittel). Scientific proof of their fossil origin had to await Schmerlin’s researches published 1833-4. This publication was simultaneously issued in German and French. Nissen ZBI 1318.
Folio (405 x 259mm). Engraved vignette depicting the cave site at beginning of text, 14 hand-colored engraved plates. Contemporary half sheep over decorated paper boards, edges red (a little worn).
Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|
Preview |
| |
Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |
Frequently asked questions
First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.