Santiago de Chile, Gobierno de Chile, 1899. Large 4to (31.2 x 26.8 cm). vi, 104 pp.; 42 fine lithographic plates. Publisher's quarter cloth over printed boards. Spine with title in black.

Rare first, Spanish publication of the Mesozoic fossils of Chile. Nearly all plates show molluscs, in particular bivalves, of which many are described and illustrated here for the first time. Rudolph Amandus "Rudolfo Amando" Philippi (1808-1904) was a prominent German malacologist and ornithologist who emigrated to Chile and continued his zoological researched there. He is the author of many important publications in malacology and conchology. A German edition was published too - it is rare too. Pictorial, palaeo-malacological bookplate of Jeffrey D. Stilwell mounted on the front pastedown. Some wear to spine ends and boards; rear board stained; small, marginal dampstain to the lower edge of the last few plates. Paper a bit toned, as usual. In all a very good, clean copy. Nissen ZBI, 3156.