The Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society Delineated. Vol. I: Quadrupeds; Vol. II: Birds

Description:

Originally published in parts in 1830 by Thomas Tegg & N. Hailes (Vol. I) and John Sharpe (Vol. II), unsold stock of the completed work were bought by Charles Tilt and reissued with new titles in 1831. Very rare issue printed on India Paper. This set is one of very few to be printed on India Paper, which were advertised by Tilt at 48s (cf. 24s for the regular issue). The charming woodcut illustrations are credited to William Harvey, but several other artists also contributed, and this work includes some of Edward Lear's earliest published illustrations ('White-fronted lemur', Vol. I, p. 299, and 'Blue and yellow macaws' Vol. II, p. 125, both bear the artist's 'EL' monogram). This work was well received when first published and a review in the Gentleman's Magazine of 1830 states, 'There is perhaps not a volume to be seen in the present publishing age surpassing the present in all its departments of execution. The paper, typography and embellishments, and the literary matter, are all entitled to the approbation of the fastidious critic.'

Nissen ZBI 314; Freeman 277; Casey Wood p. 231.

Condition

2 vols, 8vo (230x150mm), orig. publisher's green morocco-backed, paper covered boards, gilt titling to spines. Rubbed/scuffed, wear to corners, some staining to the boards, teg. Some foxing to titles and prelims, occasionally elsewhere.