Natural History

x, 462 pages. Ex-Lib with Hill Library Saint Paul on the title page. Binding shows some wear and between some signatures is loose, so the book lays flat. One signature is loose.
No indication of thousand (print number) or errata slip, agrees with Freeman 1217, first edition.

Paris: Francis Muguet first edition, 1685. Hardcover. Good. Frontispiece of ship and dolphin by L. Moreau with French royal coat of arms + large copperplate headpiece incorporating Louis XIV's coat of arms + decorative initals and a few headpieces.. FIVE VOLUMES quarto full leather bindings, corners bare, hinges cracked but still securely held. A second spine laid over original at an early date with different gilt decoration, chipped and damaged but repaired where necessary, so the set is not quite uniform in gilt decoration. All edges sprinkled red and black. Vol I Frontis (reinserted) + titlepage with fleur-de-lys printer's mark +[66]pp prelims +815pp +[1]p privilege; Vol II 657pp (inc. titlepage) +[1]p privilege; Vol III 645pp (titlepage & privilege included); Vol IV 927pp (titlepage included) +[1]p privilege); Vol V 1015pp (inc. titlepage & privilege). Some damp staining, most pronounced in Vol II which also has some grey staining to the footnotes of Book 8 while latter half of Book 9 and first… Read More

Dunedin, NZ, [late 1870s or 1880s]. Tall quarto (370 x 280mm). Original green cloth, upper board blocked in gilt and black. The contents comprise approximately 56 fern specimens mounted on the rectos of 16 card leaves with scientific names in manuscript, the leaves bound in on linen stubs. Maker's ticket to the front pastedown. Some wear and small bumps, and spots and marks to the binding, contents toned. 4 of the specimens are loose or have a small piece that has come loose, but are still retained, one specimen is lacking a frond. Very good condition. A rare, sixteen-page album of artistically arrayed and scientifically labeled New Zealand ferns by the award-winning botanical artist and entrepreneur Mary Ann Armstrong, known commercially as "Mrs. C. C. Armstrong" (1838-1910). This is a nice example of Armstrong's work, which is notable for its elegant presentation, including the use of symmetry and sweeping arcs, and the ingenious placement of moss to "ground" the specimens. Each page is an artwork… Read More

Chromolithograph by Julius Bien. 654 x 970 mm; 25 3/4 x 38 1/4 inches. A nice cleaned image with closed tears to lower portion (which see).

L. H. Bailey
The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture illustrated with colored plates, four thousand engravings in the text and ninety-six full-page cuts. In six volumes
The Macmillan Company. Macmillan, (1914-17) . 6 volumes. Good+ set. Some hinges starting but sound. Dark green cloth. Same format but much better condition than one shown. For generations, a standard reference work. [Attributes: Hard Cover] 15 lbs

Complete set of this portable edition of Abbe Pluche's popular work on natural history for children, first published in 1732 and reprinted many times. First edition in 12mo, published in An 11 of the French Revolution (1803).With 61 fine copperplates by Jacques de Seve, including 2 frontispieces, 4 folding celestial maps (illustrator). Plates engraved by Duhamel, Letellier, Racine and Bigani. Vol. 1: 359pp, frontispiece, 5 plates of insects and shells; Vol. 2: 300pp, 5 plates of birds, animals, fish and plants; Vol. 3: 353pp, 7 plates of botany; Vol. 4: 336pp, 10 plates of botany and equipment; Vol 5, 347pp, 21 plates of fish, ships and shells; Vol. 6, 344pp, 3 plates of gems and astrology; Vol.7, 364pp, 8 plates (4 folding) of astrology; Vol. 8, 231pp, frontispiece.With half titles, tables of contents and list of illustrations in each volume. Elaborate gilt decorated spines with red title labels and volume numbers. Some scuffing to boards, but interior fresh and all plates present and free of… Read More

TOLKIEN, J.R.R.: SMITH OF WOOTTON MAJOR: 1967 American First Edition, Stated First Printing. RARE THUS . EXLIB. Has library bookplate and some tape goo on it. Please see our photos. Good/Good Condition unclipped original dust jacket. Front flap price: $1.95. A clean, solid copy protected in a mylar wrap. Illustrated by Pauline Baynes.

Product DescriptionDeforestation now threatens the magnificent ecosystem of the Yucatan Peninsula - an area including northern Guatemala, Belize, and southeastern Mexico. This splendidly illustrated book by the world's leading authority on Yucatan herpetology documents the natural history of all native and introduced species of reptiles and amphibians and provides a guide to identifying them. The only comprehensive treatment available, it will be the definitive resource for amateur naturalists as well as professionals with an interest in this rapidly changing biogeographical region.Julian C. Lee begins with a description of the environment and habitats of the Yucatan Peninsula, followed by a history of the herpetological research there. He then describes 182 species of frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles, detailing the features that characterize each species and distinguish it from similar species.Lee completes the book with an unusual chapter on the ethnoherpetology of… Read More

Strasbourg: Argentinae: Ex officina Martini Flach junioris, 1501. Half leather. Fine. Folio, printed in Strassburg by Martin Flach, 7 February 1501; 161 unnumbered leaves. BINDING: new Gothic hand-sewn oak binding by Arthur Green of Malvern; tawed quarter leather over quarter-sawn oak boards, quires hand-sewn on four double-cords creating four raised spine bands, board leather blind-tooled with period style rosettes and fleurs-de-lys within panel of diagonal blind triple fillets, hand-sewn Gothic double headbands of alternate hand-dyed indigo and undyed linen thread, hand-made brass hasps and clasps ornamented in period style; an exceptionally attractive recreation of a Gothic hand-sewn binding employing medieval techniques contemporaneous with the date the book was printed. COLLATION: [pi]6, a2-8, b-y6, z8, zeta6, antisigma8; leaf a1 excised and subsequent first few lines of a2[recto] redacted in black ink in the sixteenth century by the inquisitor for its heretical content (see below).… Read More

Six volumes only of this rare eight-volume set. (Vol. VIII was discontinued after only 4 issues with 12 plates.)With 352 hand-coloured engraved plates (of 360).Incomplete set of this rare handy pocket-sized edition of 18th century natural history describing many newly discovered species.Text and plates copied from accounts published by Count Buffon, George Edwards, George Shaw, James Bruce, Thomas Pennant, Maria Sybilla Merian and others. Includes the extinct dodo and sukotyro, endangered animals and birds (Siau Island tarsier, white rhinoceros, polar bear, Indian bustard, great green macaw, wild water buffalo, banded cotinga, Russian mink, African grey parrot). Also notable for the early images of plants and animals discovered in New South Wales, Australia (short-beaked echidna, kangaroo, black swan, eastern quoll, waratah, Banksia, etc.).Half contemporary calf with red and black morocco gilt spine labels, marbled boards scuffed, front board off Vol. VI. Some plates loose or trimmed, foxing and… Read More

Complete set with 144 fine bird plates drawn, engraved and hand-coloured mostly by George Graves, (A few plates after Samuel Howitt and Sydenham Edwards, and engraved by Weddell and Warner.)A nice set of this study of British birds, with many songbirds, game birds, owls and hawks, divers, waders, and sea birds.Second edition of first two volumes (originally published in parts from 1811 and 1821), but first edition of the complete set (the third volume first appearing in 1821).With the title typo: British Ornithology, Being the History, with a Coloured Representation, of Every Kown [sic] Species of British Birds.George Graves (1784-1839), FLS, was an English publisher, artist, engraver and colourist who worked on botanical and ornithological works. Apart from British Birds (1811-1821), he also wrote and illustrated Ovarium Britannicum (1816), The Naturalist's Pocket Book (1817), and A Monograph on British Grasses (1822). From 1817, he oversaw the hand-colouring and publishing with William Jackson… Read More

A beautiful copy of Ernst Haeckel's influential book on natural history that married art and science.First complete book edition following the original edition in parts published from 1899-1904. With the 51-page supplement. 100 fine plates, some printed in colour, chromolithographed by Adolf Giltsch after sketches by Ernst Haeckel. "First edition of this famous and marvelous work which had a considerable influence on decorative design in the Jugendstil and Art Nouveau period during the beginning of the 20th century and depicts fantastic, real forms and structures found in animal and plant life." Many artists of the era, such as French glass designers Emile Galle and Rene Lalique, kept a copy of Haeckel's illustrations at home. French architect Rene Binet incorporated forms of Radiolarians in his work on the Porte Monumentale at the 1900 Paris Exposition. Dutch architect Henrick Petrus Berlage designed a chandelier based on Discomedusae jellyfish. German photographer Karl Blossfeld also explicitly… Read More

RARE SIGNED STATED FIRST EDITION: Gaddis, Thomas E.: Birdman Of Alcatraz, The Story of Robert Stroud .1955 Random House 1st. Ed. w/ exlib replacement 1st Ed. DJ is an original HARVEY GABOR White/black jail bars/ bird inset dust jacket protected by a mylar wrap. Unclipped Front flap states 9/55. Used. Good-/Good condition original dust jacket. Front cover states: "The fantastic true story of the prisoner with the longest record of solitary confinement in the United States – who became a leading authority on birds." The original source material for the gripping American film starring Burt Lancaster. Quite the find. Will ship from Oregon.

London, printed by Jo. Streater, and sold by Humphrey Moseley, John Sweeting, John Clark, and George Sawbridge, 1658.. and many other Rarities not treated of by any Author Extant... Whereunto is added one Book containing Philosophical and Prudential Rules how Man shall become Excellent in all conditions, whether high or low, and lead his Life with Health of Body and Mind. Fit for the use of those that practise Physick, and all Others that desire to search into the hidden secrets of Nature, for increase of Knowledge. FIRST ENGLISH EDITION 1658. Small folio in fours, approximately 280 x 185 mm, 11 x 7¼ inches, title page printed red and black, pages: [16], 1-398, lacking final blank endpaper, bound in full contemporary speckled calf, blind rules to covers and spine, gilt lettered morocco label, endpapers replaced at some time. Binding slightly rubbed, scuffed and slightly stained, tiny chip to leather at top of upper hinge, old ink inscription at foot of original front endpaper, as in other copies… Read More

Goldsmith, Oliver A History of the Earth and Animated Nature. Glasgow, Edinburgh: Blackie and Son, 1852. 2 volumes, 8vo, modern quarter calfBiologie, Geïllustreerd, Geschiedenis, Natuurlijke historie, Ornithologie, Verzamelwerken - Aantal: 2 - Handgekleurde illustratiesObject: Boek (Meer kavels)Aantal boeken: 2Onderwerp: Biologie, Geïllustreerd, Geschiedenis, Natuurlijke historie, Ornithologie, VerzamelwerkenAuteur/ Illustrator: Oliver GoldsmithBoektitel: A History of the Earth and Animated NatureStaat: Zeer GoedPublicatiejaar oudste item.: 1852Druk: Geïllustreerde drukTaal: EngelsOorspronkelijke taal: JaUitgever: Blackie & Son - Queen St Glasgow, Edinburgh, LondonBand: HalfleerExtra's: Handgekleurde illustratiesAfmetingen: 25,5×16 cm- Oliver Goldsmith- A History of the Earth and Animated Nature - Volume 1 and 2 (complete matching & very handsome set, newly bound, very tight)- Blackie & Son Queen St Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, 1852- Vol I; lxii, 564 pp with a portrait frontispiece and a color… Read More