A New Dictionary of Natural History; or, Compleat Universal Display or Animated Nature. With Accurate Representations of the Most Curious and Beautiful Animals, Elegantly Coloured
Published by Harrison & Co, London, 1785
- Used
Seller: Hordern House Rare Books, Potts Point, NSW, AustraliaHordern House Rare Books
AbeBooks seller since January 17, 2013
Condition: Used
£ 5,317.32
Quantity:Â 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Two volumes, folio, with 100 handcoloured engraved plates (most incorporating from four to eight images); title-pages printed in black and red; contemporary marbled calf, very skilfully rebacked to match, preserving original red and green labels. One of the great popular works of natural history, this beautiful large-format work is largely based on the great collection of curiosities and exotic specimens of Sir Ashton Lever, the most influential eighteenth-century collector: Lever may have been indulging his panache as a showman when he referred to his "Holophusicon" as "the first museum in the universe", but it was no exaggeration. Although the preface to the book describes how the illustrations are based on originals from the cabinets of virtuosi in "every part of Europe", it is clear that most, and almost all the newer specimens, are from the Holophusicon, which is singled out by the author as having been gathered "with the indefatigable industry, the consummate skill, and the munificent expense" of Lever himself. Lever employed Sarah Stone as the central artist responsible for depicting his collection, 'faithfully drawing and painting mounted birds, insects, mammals, fishes, lizards, fossils, minerals, shells and coral from all over the world, as well as ethnographical artefacts brought back from exploratory voyages, including those of Captain Cook' (Jackson, Sarah Stone, p. 9). This is particularly significant because many of the engravings in the present work, although not signed in any way, are based on originals by this important woman artist. The work was published in 1785 at a time when the study of natural history had never been more popular, in no small part due to the exotica brought back from Cook's voyages, but also due to Lever's employment of artists like Stone; and yet, the Leverian Museum itself was in crisis, leading to its sale by lottery the following year. The present work's reliance on Lever means that it is a remarkable overview of the natural history of the era and of the museum itself at the end of its days. The author's name "William Frederick Martyn" was the pseudonym of the indefatigable William Fordyce Mavor (1758-1837), a schoolmaster and writer of some note, who specialised in educational works, most famously his long series of abridged voyage accounts which included the voyages of Cook. Between the larger format of the book and the fact that it was recognised as an indispensable work of reference, it is unusual to see copies in very good condition, and the present set is unusually well-preserved. . Provenance: Thomas Hammond Foxcroft of Halstead, Yorkshire, rector of Beauchamp Rooding, Essex (armorial bookplates). Slight rubbing to extremities, overall a very good set.…
Seller Inventory # 4505058
Bibliographic details
- Title
- A New Dictionary of Natural History; or, Compleat Universal Display or Animated Nature. With Accurate Representations of the Most Curious and Beautiful Animals, Elegantly Coloured
- Author
- [MAVOR, William Fordyce] MARTYN, William Frederick
- Publisher
- Harrison & Co, London
- Publication year
- 1785
- Seller catalogs
- Library, Place, Subject
Hordern House Rare Books
Potts Point, NSW, Australia
Shipping rates from Australia to U.S.A.
| Item | 25 to 45 business days | 8 to 14 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 11.41 | £ 13.73 |
Payment methods
- Bank Draft
- Bank Wire Transfer
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- Direct Debit
- Invoice
Store description
Hordern House, founded by Anne McCormick and Derek McDonnell in 1985 and named for our original building in Sydney's Potts Point, is an internationally renowned dealership, specialising in rare books, manuscripts and paintings. Always reflected in our extensive stock of rare and select material is our specialization in voyages and travels (with a special interest in the Pacific & Australia), natural history and colour-plate material, paintings and voyage art, historical maps and manuscripts. We issue regular catalogues, some of which are published online only: all our recent catalogues can be viewed on our website.…
Specialty
Voyages and travel, Natural History, Hawaii, Illustrated books, Colonial and voyage art, Manuscripts, Australia, Voyages, Pacific.Association member
Seller's business information
Hordern House Rare Books
Hordern House, Level 2, 255 Riley Street
Surry Hills, NSW Australia 2010
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