[Zamoyski] Brehm, Life and customs of animals, Warsaw 1873

Life and customs of animals according to Brehm and other recent sources compiled by Wincenty Niewiadomski.

Warsaw : Gebethner and Wolff, (Leipzig : J. Klinkhardt) 1873.

XIV, [2], 344 p., [40] k. tabl. : il. ; 28 cm.

Richly decorated publisher's binding, cloth with contemporary leather spine supplemented.

Polish edition of the monumental illustrated work of German zoologist Alfred Brehm (1829 - 1884) constituting a de facto abbreviation and compilation from other studies of the subject made by Wincenty Niewiadomski (1826 - 1892) popularizer of natural sciences, chess player, father of Eligiusz Niewiadomski. The work is decorated with 40 striking plates (woodcuts on tint) and numerous woodcuts in the text.

The piece on offer belonged to the Zamoyski family of Wysock, as evidenced by the elaborate chain of provenance entries on the front pastedown. Chronologically:

The book was a "prize of diligence" given to the then nine-year-old (Cracow 1881) Adam Zamoyski (1872-1933) who gave it in 1900, to his sister Katarzyna (1883-1958), who in turn gave it to his sister Wanda (1892-1965).

A unique piece.