[Translated by eTranslation]

In 1776, the mineralogist, metallurgist and malacologist Ignaz von Born (1742–1791) was appointed by Maria Theresia (1717–1780) to Vienna. Its task: to systematically record and make accessible the enormous scientific collection of her husband, Kaiser Franz I. Stephan von Lothringen, who died in 1765. Born decided to start with the extensive mollusc collection.
 
He meticulously researched the latest literature, corresponded with European colleagues, described new species and had high-quality drawings of the objects made. Shortly thereafter, he published the results of his extensive research activities in two books. In 1778, a small, handy and cheaper paperback version appeared. It contained only a picture board. Two years later, in 1780, the detailed stately edition followed with 18 magnificent colour plates to important objects of the imperial collection.
 
With his scientific approach and the use of the then newly introduced taxonomic system by Carl von Linné (1707–1778), Born laid the foundation for the oldest and most valuable part of today's Mollusk Collection of the Natural History Museum Vienna.
 
Not all those responsible for the collection recognised the importance of Born's "original" objects in the following centuries. Some of the pieces were used for exhibitions, others were exchanged or simply replaced by supposedly more handsome copies.
 
Friedrich Brauer (1832–1904) was the first custodian to recognise the importance and value of the possibility of closely tracking each species described by Born and published Born's comprehensive analysis in 1878. In order to preserve it in its uniqueness, the so-called Born collection has since been kept separately from other collection objects in the original drawers.
 
The search for hidden or lost originals from the Born collection continues to this day. The careful digitization of the collection's holdings and the knowledge of the history of this historical collection are essential.
 
After almost 250 years of patient, partly detective search and thanks to advanced technical possibilities, most Born pieces are now merged, fully digitized and documented in high-resolution images. As part of digitalisation, all types – i.e. all types newly described by Born – have been prepared for a type catalogue. For this purpose, the original descriptions written in Latin and German Frakturschrift were transcribed and translated into English.
 
In a first part, a total of 39 types of mussels (Bivalvia), barge feet (Scaphopoda) and arm feet (Brachiopoda) are described and depicted. The second part is in preparation and will deal with the snails (Gastropoda). The comparison of the detailed hand drawings with the objects shows the high quality of the original picture boards.

Born was already very concerned about the possibility of giving colleagues living far away an insight into the Mollusk Collection as part of the Imperial Vienna Collection with his paperback edition. The new online publication continues Born's basic idea at the latest scientific level worldwide. Thanks to the digitized type catalogue, researchers all over the world can now access and freely use the information on the described species online at any time. Enabling this is an important task of today's scientific collections and museums.
 
The original superb volume by Ignaz von Born will be presented in the anniversary exhibition "Gutes Sammeln – Böses Sammeln. 150 Years of the Natural History Museum Vienna" from 29 April 2026.
 
Online version of the type catalogue: https://zse.pensoft.net/article/161837/
 
Scientific inquiry note:
Mag. Anita Eschner
Curator of the Mollusc Collection
Tel.: +43 (1) 52177-376
anita.eschner@nhm.at
 
General request for information:
Mag. Irina Kubadinow
Head of Press & Public Relations, Press Spokesperson
Tel.: +43 (1) 521 77-410                                                         
irina.kubadinow@nhm.at                                                         
 
Mag. Klara Vakaj
Press officer
Tel.: +43 (1) 521 77-626
klara.vakaj@nhm.at