Item #59904 The naturalist's library. William Jardine.
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library
The naturalist's library

The naturalist's library

Edinburgh, London [et al.]: W. H. Lizars, 3, St. James' Square, et al., n.d., [1845-6]. Second edition, small 8vo, 40 volumes, contemporary quarter green morocco over marbled boards, gilt-paneled spines in 5 compartments, gilt-lettered direct in 2; some scuffing and wear to the extremities, otherwise a very good, sound set. Bookplate of James Mead, Curator Emeritus of Marine Mammals at the Smithsonian. Comprising Birds in 14 volumes; Mammals in 13 volumes; Insects in 7 volumes; and Fish in 6 volumes; each volume with engraved portrait and half-title, plus 1,237 (of approximately 1,271) natural history plates, mostly hand-colored; plates are fine and very attractive. "In addition to the description and depiction (mostly finely coloured plates) by various well-known contributors to almost the whole range of the subject, the series is supplemented by biographies of famous naturalists of all times and all countries … It is well described as a remarkable little library of early nineteenth zoology, as well as a brief account of the lives of the chief zoologists of all time" (Casey Wood). Zimmer, p. 326; Nissen 4708. For a detailed history of the publication of The Naturalist's Library, detailed plate counts, etc. see also "War and Peace in Natural History Publishing: The Naturalist's Library, 1833-1843," in Isis, 1981, vol. 72, no. 1, p. 50-72, by Susan Sheets-Pyenson. Item #59904

Price: $7,500.00

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