Systema Naturae; A Photographic Facsimile of the First Volume of the Tenth Edition (1758), Caroli Linnaei; Regnum Animale, British Museum, 1956
Offered here is the 1956 British Museum (Natural History) first edition facsimile of one of the most significant works in the history of science: Systema Naturae, Volume I of the tenth edition (1758), focusing on the Animal Kingdom (Regnum Animale). This edition reproduces the original Latin text in photographic facsimile and includes a scholarly introduction by Sir Gavin de Beer, then Director of the British Museum (Natural History).
The 1758 tenth edition is historically important as the formal starting point of zoological nomenclature under the Linnaean system. Although earlier editions of Systema Naturae introduced the binomial format, it was only in the tenth edition that Linnaeus systematically applied it to the entire animal kingdom, standardising names across a wide range of species.
This facsimile preserves the layout, typography, and scientific classification as presented by Linnaeus himself, offering researchers and collectors a faithful reference to a foundational moment in biological taxonomy. A key title for those interested in natural history, scientific classification, or the development of modern biology.
Systema Naturae (System of Nature); A Photographic Facsimile of the First Volume of the Tenth Edition (1758), Regnum Animale (Animal Kingdom), by Caroli Linnaei (Carl Linnaeaus). Introduction by Gavin De Beer, British Museum.
Printed by the Order of the Trustees, British Museum, (Natural History), London, 1956. First edition, thus. The original printing of the tenth edition of Systema Naturae was in 1758.
A very good copy of this blue cloth hardback. Boards have light wear and are a little sunned, with the spine being very faded and a little creased. Binding is sound.
Text block is bright and clean throughout. Some light offsetting to endpapers.
Text - English introduction, with main text in Latin.
823pp + (1).
Dimensions: approximately 217mm tall x 160mm wide x 39mm deep.
Weight: approximately 1010g (unpacked).