The Natural History of Ireland. Vol. I-IV

Description:

First edition. Scarce. Vol I: Birds, Raptores & Insessores; Vol II: Birds, Rassores & Grallatores; Vol III: Birds, Natatores; Vol IV: Mammalia, Reptiles, and Fishes, also Invertebrata. One of the first major works on Irish natural history. The first three volumes (published by Reeve) cover the ornithology of Ireland, with the final volume, published posthumously and edited by Robert Patterson, George Dickie, and Robert Ball, (published by Henry Bohn), covering mammals, reptiles, fishes, and invertebrates. The latter also includes a portrait and Memoir of William Thompson. Printed list announcing other publications available from Reeve & Benham loosely inserted in Vol. III. Publisher's advertisements to the rear of Vol. I, II & III (dated Jan. 1849, Dec. 1849 & March 1851, respectively).

Mullens & Swann p. 579.

Condition

4 vols, 8vo, orig. blind-stamped, green cloth (uniformly faded to brown on spines), gilt titles to spine; minor wear to extremities. Vol. II with gatherings partly unopened. A little foxing at beginning and end of each volume, and to frontispiece. Booksellers ticket (J.M. Jones, Bristol) to three volumes. Endpapers lightly marked where a label has been carefully removed. Very good set. Bookplate of Robert Washington Oates (1874-1958). Oates was a dedicated naturalist and book collector and was instrumental in securing the home of Gilbert White as a permanent memorial to the naturalist and author. There he also established the Oates Memorial Museum and Library, which commemorated his cousin, Captain Lawrence Oates (1880-1912), a member of Scott's Antarctic Expedition, and his uncle Frank Oates (1840-1875).