The Natural History of British Fishes,
including scientific and general descriptions of the most interesting species, and an extensive selection of accurately finished coloured plates taken from original drawings, purposely made from the specimens in a recent state, and for the most part whilst living.
Stock Code 113685
London, for the author and for F. and C. Rivington, 1802-[1808].
Original price
£2,500.00
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Original price
£2,500.00
Original price
£0.00
£2,500.00
£2,500.00
-
£2,500.00
Current price
£2,500.00
Beautiful hand-coloured plates. First edition of this vibrant, hand-coloured guide to fish.
Author Edward Donovan (1768-1837) was an avid natural history collector and 'a prolific author and skilled artist who etched and engraved the plates for all his work'. He was a fellow of the Linnean Society and the Wernerian Society which gave him access to the best collections and libraries in London. It was quite common for private collectors to open small public museums, and in 1807 he founded the London Museum and Institute of Natural History. Although his main speciality was insects, his books on other types of animals were well-received, particularly his British Birds (1799) and the present work on fish.
First edition; five volumes bound as three, 8vo (23 x 13.5 cm); 120 hand-coloured plates, lacks volume V title page, may lack half-titles, contemporary ownership inscription to volume I, some toning of the plates and occasional small spots to the contents; 19th century red half roan, spines gilt in compartments with floral tools, marbled boards, edges of text block dyed yellow, spines faded, some scuffs and wear at the edges of the bindings, a very good set.
Freeman 1034; Nissen, ZBI 1142.
Author Edward Donovan (1768-1837) was an avid natural history collector and 'a prolific author and skilled artist who etched and engraved the plates for all his work'. He was a fellow of the Linnean Society and the Wernerian Society which gave him access to the best collections and libraries in London. It was quite common for private collectors to open small public museums, and in 1807 he founded the London Museum and Institute of Natural History. Although his main speciality was insects, his books on other types of animals were well-received, particularly his British Birds (1799) and the present work on fish.
First edition; five volumes bound as three, 8vo (23 x 13.5 cm); 120 hand-coloured plates, lacks volume V title page, may lack half-titles, contemporary ownership inscription to volume I, some toning of the plates and occasional small spots to the contents; 19th century red half roan, spines gilt in compartments with floral tools, marbled boards, edges of text block dyed yellow, spines faded, some scuffs and wear at the edges of the bindings, a very good set.
Freeman 1034; Nissen, ZBI 1142.
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