Beautiful hand-colored woodcut of a falcon from the FIRST EDITION of Gesner's "Icones animalium quadrupedum uiuiparorum et ouiparorum". From the first edition, being the Latin edition. Zurich, Christopher Froschauer, 1555. Dimensions: 19 x 10 cm (woodcut), 37,5 x 23,8 cm (paper). Conrad Gesner is considered the father of modern scientific bibliography, zoology and botany. He was a Renaissance polymath, physician, philosopher, bibliographer, philologist, natural historian, and illustrator who spent most of his time collecting, researching, and writing. He compiled monumental works on bibliography (Bibliotheca universalis 1545–1549) and zoology (Historia Animalium 1551–1558). This woodcut was published in the 3rd volume of the "Historia Animalium" dedicated to birds. Good condition, paper slightly browned and with a few small spots 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!