Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa;

The father of african zoology. First edition, a handsomely bound set of this important and beautifully hand-coloured work by 'the father of South African zoology'. From the library of the Earls of Minto, with their crest to the binding. The 2nd Earl of Minto, Gilbert Elliot Murray Kynynmound (1782-1859), served as First Lord of the Admiralty and Lord Privy Seal.

Beginning in 1820, Andrew Smith (1797-1872) spent sixteen years as a medical officer in the Cape Colony, where he pursued significant research in zoology, ethnology, and geography. 'His knowledge of the region's zoology was so extensive that Charles Darwin sought out his expertise. His most important publication was Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa, issued in parts from 1838 to 1849, and in four volumes in 1849' (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography). The delicate plates were produced by George Henry Ford (1808-1876), an artist of 'exceptional merit' who was nurtured professionally by Smith. He was appointed the official artist for the expedition and all his drawings were made in the field "from specimens either living or recently dead"' (Gunther, 'The Original Drawings of George Henry Ford', Journal of the Society for the Bibliography of Natural History, vol. 6, issue 3, 1972). The five volumes cover birds, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, and fish.

First edition; 5 vols., 4to (30 x 23 cm); 279 lithographic plates, 272 of which are hand-coloured, plate 6 of volume IV bound in volume V following plate 9, plate 19 in volume IV misbound after plate 26, plate 31 of volume V misbound after plate 69, plates 18 and 37 of volume III never published, occasional mild toning and offsetting with some light, scattered spotting; contemporary calf, spines elaborately gilt in compartments, red and green morocco labels, gilt crest of the Earl of Minto to boards, double gilt fillets, and floral rolls to boards, marbled endpapers and edges, bindings a little rubbed and scuffed, a very good set.