Viehartznei. Erziehung, Gbrauch, Lernung, Artznei in zûfelligen vnd natürlichen Kranckheyten, aller zahmen, dem menschen gebräuchlichen, vnd geheymen Thier vnd viehs by [The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication.] - 1535

Frankfurt: Egenolff, 1535. FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION. Woodcuts by Hans Weiditz depict a charming stockyard scene on the title page, and a trio of men with a horse on the first leaf (two of the three men have their eyes gouged out, presumably by a previous owner), plus 16 additional smaller text woodcuts of animals. Later vellum; interior lightly browned, faint water stain on first and last leaves, unobtrusive repair on the title page, otherwise an excellent copy. This rare treatise on veterinary medicine is distinguished for being the first illustrated edition from the 1530 printing. Much of the text is focused on equestrian care and medicine, with information on treating a variety of maladies including equine cancer and gallbladder disease. The latter part of the treatise explains the husbandry and medical treatment of other livestock, including mules, donkeys, oxen, sheep, pigs, dogs and birds, along with a short section on apiculture. A two page index follows the text.Although the author's name is unknown, the illustrations were done by Weiditz (1495-1537), a member of an elite group of woodcutters of the German Renaissance, which also included Albrecht Dürer, Hans Holbein, and Weiditz's teacher, Hans Burgkmair. He is known for his illustrations of secular books, particularly Otto Brunfels' acclaimed Herbarum vivae eicones, in which his innovative, realistic depictions of plant life were greatly influential.OCLC locates 3 copies, with only one in America (University of Michigan); Durling, 4600 (1550 ed.); Wellcome, 6603 (1550 ed.).