Tableau Encyclopédique et Méthodique des Trois Règnes de la Nature: Erpétologie + Ophiologie

Paris: Chez Panckoucke, 1789-1790. First edition.. The page edges retain the original deckle edges that are aged-toned, there is light staining to the top outer corners of plates 31 and 32 not affecting the images, some occasional marginal browning to text, overall a tight and clean copy in very good condition.. Pp. xxviii, 70, + 43 fine full-page engravings of snakes; pp. xliv, 76 + 26 fine full-page engravings of frogs, turtles, crocodiles and lizards. Black simulated-leather in snake-skin pattern, lettered in yellow on the spine, sm folio (315 x 230 mm). This is the complete work on herpetology from the “Tableau Encyclopédique et Méthodique.” The 69 engraved plates by Bernard show exceedingly fine detail. Kraig Adler (History of Herpetology, part II, p. 29) writes "the abbot and naturalist, Pierre-Joseph Bonnaterre (1751-1804), produced one of the earliest illustrated encyclopedias of amphibians and reptiles of the world and was the first to use the French word 'Erpétologie'. Bonnaterre was also employed by the publisher Charles Joseph Panckoucke to write the captions and superintend the production of the plates for several volumes in the series 'Encyclopédie Méthodique', an enormous encyclopedia composed of 196 volumes (1782-1832). Some of France's most distinguished naturalists contributed to this massive set.” Bonnaterre was the author of both herpetology sections of this encyclopedia which are offered here. There is an old (nineteenth century?) circular ink stamp on the title page of the section entitled “Ophiologie”. This volume is from the research collection of herpetologist Arden H. Brame, Jr. with his ink stamp on the front endpaper, later it was from the research collection of herpetologist James R. McCranie with his name stamp also on the front endpaper.