Search Results: the natural history of british fishes by edward donovan

Paperback / softback. New.

Paperback / softback. New.

Hardback. New.

paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.

Hardback. New.

hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.

London: F. And C. Rivington, Bye and Law, 1802. First Edition. Full Morocco. Very Good. Donovan, E.. Book. 8vo - over 7¾. 5 volumes, 120 handcolored plates, each 10 by 6 inches, all of brilliant luster yielded by the metallic paint availed. Bound in lush green full modern morocco. Ex-lib, with very light stamp of Mercantile Library of New York on plates, not affecting illustration per se but sometimes close to picture of fish. Also slightly larger stamp on title page and here and there on description or text pages. Some scattered soilage throughout in addition, but never to a disconcerting level. Pages are quite age toned. Volume One has a few small tape repairs to preliminary pages. All volumes are tight.

London, «Printed for the Author and for F. and C. Rivington», 1804, 1806, 1808. Gr.-8°; Bd. III: 24 Taf., ca. 50 Bl. Text, 2 Bl. Index; Bd. IV: 24 Taf., ca. 50 Bl. Text, 2 Bl. Index; Bd. V: 24 Taf., ca. 50 Bl. Text, 2 Bl. Index; (mit den Tafeln Nr. XLIX - CXX; zus. 72 handkolorierte Kupferstiche), HLdr. goldgeprägt (neu aufgebunden mit dem alten Deckel), Lesebändchen, Rundummarmorschnitt, Deckel etwas geschwärzt (Brandspuren?), an den Deckelrändern kl. Abspleissungen des Leders, tlw. etw. stockfleckig (meist in den Deckblättern, sehr vereinzelte Bl. m. braunem Abklatsch), allg. frisch u. sauber; jeweils Exlibris a. Inendeckel («Admiral The Hon[oura]ble Walter Cecil Carpenter»), jew. Name von alter Hand a. Titelbl. Nissen, ZBI 1141; Nissen, Schöne Fischbücher 51; Bosgoed 792; Dean I, 330. - Neben der Oktavausgabe des Bloch'schen Fischbuches wohl das schönste illustrierte Werk über dieses Thema. Mit überaus sorgfältig kolorierten Kupfern, vielfach gold- bzw. silbergehöht u. mit… Read More

Very good copy of the first edition of "one of the finest works on fishes."
Complete with 120 beautiful copperplate engravings, drawn, engraved and coloured by the author. Donovan made his drawings from recently caught fish, most while they were still living. The text often describes the location the fish was caught: the ocean sunfish, Mola mola, was "an elegant little specimen caught near the coast of Brighton."
Depicts several endangered species such as the Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, and Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, and the critically endangered European sturgeon, Acipenser sturio, and angelshark, Squatina squatina.
"The paint is laid on so thickly that is frequently impossible to see the engraved lines underneath. The already rich colour is heightened with burnished highlights, albumen overglaze and metallic paint."
Complete five volumes bound in two (1,2 and 3,4,5),
Edward Donovan (1768-1837) was an Anglo-Irish naturalist and the author and illustrator of a number of… Read More

London: Printed for the Author and for F. C. and J. Rivington, 1802-1808. Hardcover. Very Good+. Half gilt-ruled red morocco and marbled paper, gilt-stamped lettering and ornament in spine compartments (5 raised bands), t.e.g.; complete set of 5 volumes, 8vo (240x150mm); with 120 hand-colored engraved plates (watermarked 1805). Some very light scuffing along joints and edges of boards. Ex-library, with blindstamps on titles and a few text leaves, a few withdrawal inkstamps. Otherwise, just a little light toning to a few plates -- overall, internally bright and clean, and colors remain true. Plates are striking.