Sarasin, P. and F. Sarasin
Materialien zur Naturgeschichte der Insel Celebes. II. Die Land-Mollusken von Celebes.
Wiesbaden, C. W. Kreidel, 1899. Large 4to/Folio (30.1 x 24.4 cm). viii, 248 pp.; map, 31 photographic, lithographed or engraved plates, of which five in full colour. Original blue grained cloth with gilt title on spine and front board.
Important contribution to the knowledge of the rich, varied land mollusc fauna of Celebes (Sulawesi) with the descriptions and illustrations of many new genera and species. Written by the Swiss malacologist Paul Benedikt Sarasin (1856-1929) and his second cousin, Karl Friedrich "Fritz" Sarasin (1859-1942). During his medicine studies, Paul met the zoologist and Darwinist Carl, or Karl, Gottfried Semper (1832-1893), in Würzburg, and under his influence changed direction, writing a dissertation in 1882 on snails. Bookplate of another Swiss malacologist, Eugen Paravicini (1889-1945) with a Buddha figure, and library stamp on the front past-down; stamps of two German malacologists, Caesar Boettger, and Herbert Ant, on title page. Original blue linen front cover present but covered with another, purple cloth. Rear blank free endpapers a bit spotted. A very good copy. Rare. Nissen ZBI, 3571 (2).