A General History of Quadrupeds

Newcastle Upon Tyne: S. Hodgson, R. Beilby and T. Bewick, 1791. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 8.5" by 5.5". Thomas Bewick. A very smart, second edition copy of Thomas Bewick's famous work, 'A General History of Quadrupeds', illustrated throughout and in full calf binding. A second, much larger and improved edition, published just a year after the first.This late eighteenth-century work describes two-hundred and sixty mammals from across the world, looking at domestic animals, such as horses and cows, as well as animals such as jackals and polecats.Illustrated and written by Thomas Bewick. Bewick was the author of natural history works, including A History of British Birds, and an engraver. He was apprenticed and eventually became the partner to Ralph Beilby.Containing numerous in-text wood engravings by the author.Containing the bookplate of a previous owner to the front pastedown, and a previous owner's stamp to the front free-endpaper. Containing an ink inscription of a previous owner to one of the front free-endpapers: 'J.J. Farquharson, the gift of his Father'. ESTC Reference T60631.  Handsomely bound in full calf binding with gilt detailing and five raised bands to the spine. Externally, lovely, with just minor shelf wear, and light rubbing to the boards. A previous owner's bookplate to the front pastedown, a previous owner's stamp to the front free-endpaper, and a previous owner's ink signature to the front free-endpaper. Internally, front hinge is strained but remaining binding is firm. Pages are generally bright and clean, especially considering the age of the work. Very Good Indeed