DONOVAN, Edward

 

DONOVAN, Edward. The Natural History of British Shells, including Figures and Descriptions of all the Species hitherto discovered in Great Britain, systematically arranged in the Linnean Manner, with scientific and general Observations on each.

London, F. C. and J. Rivington, 1799-1803.

 

£ 1,200

 

FIRST EDITION. 8vo, 4 volumes (of 5). With 144 (of 180) beautiful engraved plates, all hand-coloured in thick paint and fine bright colours. Light occasional spotting, copiously annotated with scientific observations throughout. Bookplate on left pastedown with crest of baronets of Nova Scotia, name unidentified, scraped away. Title-page with autograph of “Mary Sparrow”, dated 1809. The work was issued in 60 parts, each with 3 plates, having descriptive text to each plate. All volumes with title-pages and alphabetical Indexes at the end. The title-pages are dated 1799 (vol.I), 1800 (vol. II), 1801 (vol. III), 1802 (vol. IV), 1803 (vol. V). Bound in contemporary full speckled brown calf over boards Rubbed on covers.

 

Nissen, No. 1147.