Tours in Wales. by PENNANT, Thomas

London: Printed for Wilkie and Robinson; J. Nunn; White and Cochrane; Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme; Vernor, Hood, and Sharpe; Cadell and Davies; J. Harding; J. Richardson; J. Booth; J. Mawman; and J. Johnson and Co., 1810.. FIRST EDITION THUS in 3 vols. 8vo. (20 x 13 cm). pp. xviii+[1, errata]+415; 415; 484. Contemporary half vellum over marbled boards rebacked, spines ruled and gilt in compartments, twin green (faded) morocco labels, speckled edges. Bindings a bit scuffed and soiled, some offsetting from plates, light toning and occasional light spotting. 44 engraved plates (of which 13 are folding) including frontispiece to each volume. Thomas Pennant (1726-1798) was a prominent ornithologist and zoologist and prolific author of the eighteenth century. His writings about natural history, topography and travel were based on his many tours of the British Isles and research into the world's animal kingdom. His circle of friends included Sir Joseph Banks and Captain James Cook, in 1771 he visited Banks shortly after he returned from his voyage around the world with Cook. He conducted several tours throughout Wales in the early 1770s, where his Welsh-speaking friend and companion, the Revd John Lloyd of Caerwys, served as his companion and guide. An account of these tours were brought together as in the present work.