A History of British Starfishes, and other Animals of the Class Echinodermata

Description:

First edition. All but three of the attractive woodcuts of starfish were drawn by the author. The work also includes a number of truly delightful vignettes, some by other artists, which Forbes describes as 'interesting embellishments'.

Freeman, 1226.

Condition

Demy 8vo (215x137mm), cont. half calf (minor wear), marbled boards (rubbed), edges and endpapers. Bound without half-title. With bookplate of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with neat ink stamp to title and final page; small paper label to verso of flyleaf. Pencil signature of Joshua Alder to flyleaf. Forbes acknowledges Alder, amongst others, in the Preface for his 'most valuable aid' and later, after stating, 'Nor must I forget favours of the pencil', mentions that Mr. Alder has 'contributed to the ornamental part'. Joshua Alder (1792-1867) was an amateur zoologist, and founding member of the Natural History Society of Northurmberland and Durham. He wrote several important monongraphs, including the six-volume, A Monograph of the British Nudibranchiate Mollusca (Ray Society, 1845-1855).