Sydney, T. Richards, 1869. 4to (26.3 x 20.3 cm). xxv, 100 pp.; 12 originally hand-coloured lithographed plates, and several text illustrations. Early 20th century, beautiful, full brown morocco binding. Spine with five raised, gilded bands; compartments rich gilt with floral corner pieces and arabesque vignettes. Boards with gilt-lined panels, gilt-ornamented edges, and gilt-rolled floral inner dentelles. Marbled pastedowns.

An important and very rare work by the German-born Australian herpetologist Johann Ludwig Gerard Krefft (1830-1881). This original edition is very rare. It is even more rare to see it in an exceptionally fine and opulent binding. This work includes the description and illustration of new and poorly known species. Provenance: stamp of the American photographer, novelist and herpetologist Corson Jay Hirschfeld (b. 1941), editor of the Journal of the Ohio Herpetological Society (later: Journal of Herpetology) on the title; inscribed in the top outer margin of the title by another American herpetologist, the Kansas wildlife expert and author, Joseph Thomas Collins (1939-2012), and dated. Plates slightly and evenly toned (as usual). Very light shelf-wear, otherwise a fine copy. Adler I, p. 51 (for Krefft); Adler III, pp. 331-332 (for Collins); Crane Library, AC43 (plain edition); Nissen ZBI, 2302; Casey Wood, p. 422.