Cassell's Popular Natural History. Volume 1: Mammalia ... Volume 2: Mammalia ... Volume 3: Birds ... Volume 4: Reptiles, Fishes ...

London, Cassell, Petter, & Galpin, [circa 1870s].

Quarto, four volumes (bound in two), viii, 376; viii, 376; viii, 408; and vi, 346 pages with approximately 2000 illustrations, plus an additional engraved title leaf for each volume (each with a hand-coloured vignette) and 48 hand-coloured plates (12, 12, 13 and 11 plates respectively in each volume).

Publisher's half morocco and cloth, spines gilt in compartments, all edges gilt; leather slightly rubbed, cloth slightly mottled; one opening stained from pressed flowers; an excellent set with an early name-plate on both front pastedowns.

Volume 3 has several minor discrepancies with its plate list: the 'White-Shafted Fantail' facing page 128 was never present; there is an unlisted plate, 'Peacock and Other Birds in the Gardens of the Acclimatisation Society, Paris' (including kingfishers) facing page 296; and the plate facing page 328 is now 'The Emeu [sic]'. The plate list has 'Cassowary' facing page 326, whereas a full-page illustration, 'The Cassowary', is printed on page 329. [4 items in two].

Item #123508

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