New York, NY, The American Museum of Natural History, 1954. Large 8vo (27.0 x 19.8 cm). 142 pp.; 42 (groups of) fine text figures, 16 b/w plates, one folded chart. Original printed wrappers.

A seldom-seen, superbly illustrated taxonomical work, which includes a classification of the Anguinomorpha, including such families as the Varanidae, and the Cretaceous Mosasauridae. Written by American herpetologists Samuel Booker McDowell (1928-2014) and Charles Mitchill Bogert (1908-1992), who was also curator and chairman of the Herpetology Department of the American Museum of Natural History. Published in the Museum's Bulletin series, Volume 105, Art. 1, which explains why page numbering starts with 1. Two former owners' inscriptions in the top margin of the front wrapper (the herpetologists James C. List, and William J. Mautz). Title handwritten on spine; some pencilled marginalia. Small, printed label of an S.S.A.R. auction in 2009. Script title on spine. Ex-libris of former owner pasted to inner front wrapper. Rear wrapper a bit frayed at spine and small part of tail lost, but still a very good, clean copy. Quite rare, as often with AMNH Bulletins.