Topsell, pub. 1658 - 6 Pages with Engravings of Snake,...

Topsell, pub. 1658 - 6 Pages with Engravings of Snake, Eel, Lizard, Frog or Toad

This early engraving is from Edward Topsell's The History of Serpents or The Theater of Insects: or, Lesser living Creatures. As Bees, Flies, Caterpillars, Spidrs, Worms, &c. a most Elaborate Work. This is from the second edition of the work and was published in London in 1658 by E. Cotes and G. Sawbridge. The works are considered part of the larger work entitled The History of Four-footed Beasts and Serpents.

Edward Topsell (1572-1625) was an English author and clergyman. He wasn't a naturalist, and relied on other authorities including Konrad Gesner and Thomas Moffett to create his works. He wrote the epic treatise on zoology entitled The History of Four-footed Beasts and Serpents which explored real and fantastical animals. While mythical creatures and notions are part of Topsell's work, John Lienhard still describes it as "an early glimmer of modern science. For all its imperfection, it represents a vast collection of would-be observational data, and it even includes a rudimentary rule for sifting truth from supposition."

Paper Size: ~ 7 1/2" by 12"

Paper Type or Special Features: Engraving