For sale here is an original rare vintage roll down lithographic school chart of fossils, Cephalopods, palaeontology, drawn, designed and produced 

by Karl Alfred Von Zittel. This one depicting cephalopods mostly shows the internal cross-section of a nautilus shell.

Published by Theodore Fisher in Cassel in 1879

145cm X 110cm

Karl Alfred, knight von Zittel (born Sept. 25, 1839, Bahlingen, Baden [Germany]—died Jan. 5, 1904, Munich, Ger.) 

In 1863 Zittel became an assistant to the royal mineral cabinet of Vienna and professor of mineralogy, geognosy, and paleontology at the Karlsruhe Polytechnic. In 1866 he became professor of geology and paleontology at the University of Munich. His early research was in minerals and petrography. As the geologist of an expedition to Libya in 1873–74, Zittel collected the evidence leading to his conclusion about the Sahara. He later accepted evolution and led in applying the theory to paleontology, especially in his studies of ammonites. In 1876 he began his work on fossil sponges, which established their classification and laid a basis for the classification of modern forms. His principal contributions to vertebrate paleontology dealt with turtle and pterodactyl fossils found in the Bavarian limestones.

This stunning chart is one of the series of approximately 18 of its type which were produced in 1879. They are lithographs which is the form of printing used to make it look like they were drawings. This wonderful example has some 12 drawings of fossils with the description on the key used along the bottom in Latin. 

This chart is completely original and does not have batons or poles at the top and bottom. I have included a picture of a similar chart with poles and batons on it if you would like it presented like this I can arrange this but it would be an extra £50 on top. I’m offering it  as it is As some people will take it off the poles and have a framed. Please let me know if you would prefer to have this presented like a rolldown chart with dial poles at the top and the bottom  (as shown in picture 12) 

These charts are so rare that they are only really known to exist in museums. I was lucky enough to buy a collection from Liege university in Belgium directly from one of the professors where they have been for the last 150 years. Luckily for us they are in great condition as they have spent their lives rolled up in a dark cupboard. 

I didn’t have about another eight very similar charts from this series which have not yet been processed. You are if you are interested in seeing any of the pictures please message me . 

Early and Rare 19th century lithographic charts of this early age and quality command very high prices with collectors they really should be in museums and framed behind the glass (see picture 11). I’ve seen single Charts of this type make anything up to £1200 for one piece. They are very desirable rare and very decorative.