MÜLLER (Otto Friedrich) - ABILDEGAARD (Peter Christian) - VAHL (Martin Hendriksen) - HOLTEN (Johan Severin) - RATHKE (Jens) Zoologia danica seu Animalium Daniae et Norvegiae rariorum ac minus notorum descriptiones et historia, Havniae [Copenhague] : N. Möller et fils, 1788 [I et II]-1789 [III] ; Havniae [Copenhague] : N. Christensen, 1806 [IV]. -4 volumes in 2 vols. in-folio, marbled half-calf with corners, smooth spine decorated (contemporary binding). New posthumous edition, partly original, of this rare work begun by the Danish naturalist Otto Friedrich Müller (1730-1784) and continued after his death by other Danish scientists such as Peter Christian Abildegaard, Martin Hendriksen Vahl, Johan Severin Holten and Jens Rathke. It is a systematic manual of the marine fauna of Denmark and Norway. Müller began editing it in 1777. This edition was published by his brother Christian Friedrich Müller (1744-1814), and is truly the jewel in the crown of 18th-century Danish zoological literature. Volumes 3 and 4 appear here for the first time, illustrated with a title vignette and 159 plates (out of 160), mostly drawn and engraved by Christian Friedrich Müller. The second plate is missing, and has been replaced by an unbound reproduction. A copy with all plates in black, except the fourth, which is the only one in color. Headpieces bumped, epidermis, first volume hinges split over several centimeters, corners dull. Some foxing.