1716 - Büttner, D.S. (A.).

Büttner, D.S. (A.). Rudera diluvii testes, i.e., Signs and Witnesses of the Great Flood. In view of the current state of our Earth and the water-covered sphere, particularly the various animals and plants—once submerged—that have since been found in diverse locations, including in the Querfurt region. Leipzig, Braun 1710. Small 4°. With engraved frontispiece, folded, engraved view (Querfurt), and 30 illustrations on copper plates (15 folded); 4 leaves, 314 pp., 10 leaves of contemporary hand-printed text. (Cover binding with large missing sections). Nissen, ZBI 671 a. Poggendorff I, 337. Jöcher I, 1467. Rare first edition. - The author (1660–1719) served as a deacon in Querfurt beginning in 1690, where he devoted himself to the study and collection of natural history specimens. The rare specimens from his collection of fossils and petrified remains are described in detail in this work. - 2 plates with a tear in the fold. Some plates with slight water stains along the edges. Frontispiece trimmed to the edge of the illustration. - First edition of this study of the fossils of Querfurt in Saxony, considered “relics of the universal deluge.” Büttner, deacon of Querfurt, was a theologian and naturalist who wrote this work to demonstrate that fossils were the remnants of the Flood. Contemporary half roan, spine gilt. Corners slightly scuffed.