Beautiful, hand-colored woodcuts of an owl from Gesner's "Vogelbuch". Early German edition of the famous encyclopedia. Frankfurt, Saur, 1598. Conrad Gesner is considered the father of modern scientific bibliography, zoology, and botany. He was a polymath, physician, philosopher, bibliographer, philologist, natural historian, and illustrator from the Renaissance who devoted most of his time to collecting, researching, and writing. He compiled monumental works on bibliography (Bibliotheca universalis, 1545-1549) and zoology (Historia Animalium, 1551-1558). These woodcuts were published in the so-called "Vogelbuch," dedicated to fish and marine animals. Dimensions: 35 x 22,5 cm. Good condition, paper lightly browned and with a few spots and old creases due to age. Attention for US buyers: Due to recent postal restrictions shipping to the US can only be done by DHL, therefore higher shipping costs apply!