Underappreciated taxonomic work on fossils. First edition of this taxonomy of fossils, including both mineral specimens and organic fossils, by the natural historian, apothecary,and herbalist Sir John Hill (1714-1775). Volume I only of Hill's three-volume General Natural History, illustrated with twelve attractive plates depicting a wide variety of fossils.

Hill's 'geological contributions made him a significant though much neglected figure in the Georgian history of the science. In 1746, he produced the first English translation of Theophrastus's foundational History of Stones from the original ancient Greek. Embellished with copious notes and observations, the book was well received and formed the basis of a later French translation; it would be 200 years before another English translation was produced. Friendly relations, joint collecting trips and positive co-operation with the naturalist Emanuel Mendes da Costa (1717-1791) degenerated to accusations of philosophical piracy and plagiarism over plans to produce a volume on 'fossils' (in the sense of any geological material) after da Costa was elected FRS in 1747. In the event, two quite different works were published, with Hill beating the somewhat beleaguered da Costa to press. Hill's A History of Fossils (1748), the first of a three-volume series on natural history, was followed by his Fossils Arranged According to their Obvious Characters in 1771 and a work on spars (1772). Characterised by a competent grasp of earlier literature, an innate desire to systematise an approach to geological materials somewhat emulating Linnaeus's approach to botany, Hill's geological works are replete with original observations and expressions of his personal opinions' (Duffin, 'Tercentenary of Sir John Hill', Geological Society).

First edition; folio, vol. 1 of 3 only (305.5 x 22 cm); 12 engraved plates, Gg1 & Gg2 adheared, torn portion of 4S2 adheared to 4S1, 5B1 & 5B2 adheared, 6T1 & 6T2 adheared, small strip of 6D2 adheared to 6D1, fern pieces adheared to 7P1 recto and 7P2 verso, pressed ferns loosely inserted between 7U1 & 7U2, some spotting and offsetting; contemporary tan calf rebacked to style, spine gilt in compartments, red morocco label, corner of boards renewed, some scuffs and scratches to boards, very good condition; 654pp.