Shells & Fossils

The 'South Seas' issue; 2 vols bound as one; folio (35.5 x 29 cm, 14 x 11.5 in); two armorial bookplates to front pastedown; hand coloured etched frontispiece, two engraved parallel titles in English and French (the first with imprint also in French), engraved dedication to the King, two engraved explanatory tables, half-title, engraved plate of medals (undated), 80 hand coloured engraved plates numbered in a contemporaneous hand, with two loose contemporaneous single leaf prospectuses in English and French; contemporary full red morocco by L. Staggemeier and Welcher (with ticket), gilt-ruled borders of a Greek key roll and gilt-dotted rule, gilt spine with emblematic and classical tools offset by two green morocco contrasting lettering-pieces, all edges gilt, extremities lightly rubbed, a few minor stains to binding, very occasional spotting internally; 39, [1]pp (pagination begins half-title verso). A very fine copy.

First edition; folio, (40.4 x 26.7 cm); complete with engraved author portrait and architectural frontispiece and 60 further engraved plates, tissue repair to top of frontispiece, light tears on pp.2, 45, 283, missing corner on p.283, tape repair to plate xli; recent vellum binding; 340pp.