[Rarebooks] FS: Horrebow's Natural History of Iceland w/the important 1758 map

[Kenneth Karmiole]

 (TRAVEL) Horrebow, Niels. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ICELAND: Containing a Particular and Accurate Account of the Different Soils, Burning Mountains, Minerals, Vegetables, Metals, Stones, Beasts, Birds, and Fishes: Together with the Disposition, Customs, and Manners of Living of the Inhabitants Interspersed with an Account of the Island, by Mr. Anderson... Translated from the Danish... And Illustrated with a New General Map of the Island. London: for A. Linde et al. 1758. Folio. xx,207,(1)pp. With a fine double-page copper engraved map of Iceland. 19th century calf, with red morocco label over marbled boards (very likely the original boards), extremities a bit rubbed, but quite nice. With the bookplate of "Erasmus Head, M. A." (1711-1763) who had a large library.                  $2,000.00 (trade discount allowed)
The first English translation of this important work, which contains the best map of Iceland to this date. Samuel Johnson is said to brag that he could recite from memory a complete chapter of this book. He was referring to Chapter LXXII concerning snakes, which contains one sentence: "There are no snakes to be met with throughout the whole island."

Kenneth Karmiole, Bookseller, Inc.
1239A Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-451-4342
kkarmiole at yahoo.com