A Sketch of the Natural History of Brighton and its Vicinity

Description:

First edition. Scarce. Mary Philadelphia Merrifield (1804-1889) was a noted British writer on art and fashion. Moving from London to Dorset Gardens, Brighton, she became interested in the history of the area, publishing Brighton Past and Present in 1857. She developed a passion for botany becoming an authority on the study of marine algae. In this work, she covers all aspects of the natural history of Brighton, including geology. There is a short section on ‘Directions for collecting and preserving algae’.

Charming engraved drop capitals to start of each chapter. The engraved map (dated 1858, ‘Engraved for H. Wallis. For A Sketch of the Natural History of Brighton’) is titled ‘Cruchley’s Environs of Brighton, including Lewes, Shoreham, Newhaven etc.’

Freeman 2558.

Condition

8vo, recased in orig. blind-stamped, brown cloth, spine faded, a few light marks; new endpapers. Occasional light foxing; a few marginal pencil annotations. Good.