Zoological Lectures, delivered at the Royal Institution in the Years 1806 and 1807. Vol. I-II

Description:

First edtion. Very scarce. 'With Plates from the first Authorities and most select specimens engraved principally by Mrs Griffith' [and others]. George Shaw (1751–1813) was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1789. In 1791 he was appointed assistant keeper of the natural history section of the British Museum, and was promoted to keeper in 1807. He delivered a series of twelve popular lectures on zoology at the Royal Institution in 1806 and 1807 (published in 1809). (ODNB). Freeman 3378; Nissen ZBI 3837.

[Bibliographical Note: Plates numbered 1-163, 36*, 132*, 159*, 159**. The engraved vignettes to the titles are in this copy transposed, with the painted lady butterfly on the title to Vol. I and the humming-bird to Vol. II. We have also seen copies with the vignettes correctly placed.]

Condition

2 vols, 8vo, orig. full polished calf, gt inner dentelles, rebacked with new antique style spines, gt rules, leather title pieces; marbled endpapers. Occasional foxing, some browning and offsetting from plates. Nice set. Armorial bookplates of the Tucker family ('Auspice Teucro) and of Thomas Barbour ('Nihilo nisi cruce'), whose signature also appears on the flyleaves of both volumes.