A History of the Earth and Animated Nature by Oliver Goldsmith - 1847

London: A Fullarton and Co, 1847. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 10" by 7". Anon. A finely bound, first edition thus of Oliver Goldsmith's treatise on the natural world. This is the first edition thus, as it is the first edition to be colour illustrated.With an introductory view of the animal kingdom by Baron Cuvier translated from French, copious notes and a biography on Goldsmith by Washington Irving. Illustrated with a frontispiece to volume I,  engraved title pages to both volumes and forty six hand-coloured plates numbered 1-48. Plates 31 and 38 are not called for in the description of plates (as they are seemingly unissued)  and therefore are not present to this volume. Collated, complete. A scarce work, particularly in this complete state. A beautifully illustrated treatise, which looks at birds, fish, insects and many more aspects of the natural world. In uniform half calf bindings, with cloth covered boards. Externally, very smart with light spots to the boards. Bookseller's stamp to the front pastedown, James Duncan. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright. Scattered spots to pages, mostly at the edges. Heavier to the first and last few pages. Pages 419-424 and 427 of volume II has chips to the fore-edge, not affecting the text. A bright copy of this work. Very Good Indeed