Bartholin, Thomas, De Unicornu Observationes Novae. 1st edition, Padua, 1645. Octavo, pp. 304, 12, 12, errata, 8 engraved text illustrations. & Dissertatio de cygni anatome, ejusque cantu a Johanne Jacobo Bewerlino in Academia Hafniensi olim subjecta; nunc notulis quibusdam auctior edita ex schedis paternis a Casparo Bartholino Thomae filio. apud Danielem Paulli, Copenhagen, 1668. Octavo, pp. 96, 1 engraved plate.
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Both works are bound together in contemporary speckled calf, six gilt spine panels, titles, minor scuffing to boards, over all very good. Very rare.
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Bartholin (1616-1680) was a prominent professor of anatomy in Copenhagen. The 17th century represents a Danish renaissance of anatomical studies of the organs and their function and of natural history collecting. Bartholin's father Casper Bartholin (1585-1629) was the brother-in-law of noted naturalist Ole Worm. Ole Worm visited and corresponded with European colleagues, collected museum catalogues but first and foremost published his own catalogue of his private collection the magnificent book "Museum Wormianum" (Worm 1655). It is a practical, descriptive catalogue, giving evidence of Worm's thoughts towards fables such as the true identity of the unicorn. Casper Bartholin the Elder shared these same passions. In addition to his handbook, Anatomicae institutiones, Casper Bartholin the Elder wrote a students' guideline for the study of the natural history of mammals and birds. When Worm died, his collections were transferred to the Kunstkammer and Thomas Bartholin was active in creating Universitetets første Natural Kammer (first Chamber of Natural Objects) which comprised many animals, partly as skeletons and natural curiosities. Thomas shared his father's passion for anatomy and natural curiosities. He traveled extensively throughout Europe collecting specimens of various fossil horns. These led him to believe in the unicorn legend. His above work on the Unicorn contains his views on how these horns were proof of the existence of Unicorns. The work contains illustrations of horns both in creatures and humans. The first edition of this work is quite scarce. The second work is his anatomical study of birds which was published with the help of Thomas's son Caspar.