FERNÁNDEZ, Hipólito (fl 1880s). Cabinete Zoologico, Manila, 1886.

Photographs of Dr Fernández’s private zoological museum in Manila, which was incorporated into the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales which Fernández helped found. The photographs feature a cabinet of skulls, taxidermy specimens, an array of weaponry, and other items of ethnographic interest. In 1887 the Spanish Crown put on an exhibition to showcase the biological diversity of the Philippines for the Spanish public ("La Exposición de Filipinas en el parque del Retiro de Madrid en 1887 ha sido la más importante que jamás se haya realizado sobre el Archipiélago Filipino"). Fernández had collected extensively on Mindanao, Luzon, the Marianas and other islands, and for the exhibition he contributed some 2300 specimens of animals found in the islands, including 106 shells, of which several were type specimens. He also included ethnographic objects, including skulls of two criminals. Referenced in Catálogo sistematico é illustrado de la Bibliotheca Filipina reunida y puesta en venta por P. Vindel. (Madrid, 1904) p 150 n 786 (this copy, noting the autograph dedication).

Oblong 4to 172 x 238 mm), with autograph dedication on inside front free endleaf, 2 March 1886 and 6 mounted photographs (measuring 128 x 193 mm) mounted on stiff card (occasional soiling to mounts). Contemporary shagreen with title as above stamped in gold (rubbing and wear at extremities). Provenance: (inscribed to) Vincente Barrantes, Spanish poet and bibliophile.