[Rarebooks] fa: NEW, COMPLETE, UNIVERSAL BODY or SYSTEM OF NATURAL HISTORY 1785 - Folio w/ 85 PLATES

[Ardwight Chamberlain]

Listed now, auction ending Sunday, May 29. More details and images can be found at the URL below or by searching for the seller name arch_in_la. 

http://tinyurl.com/hoflz22

Thanks again,
Ardwight Chamberlain
Ann Arbor, MI


A Society of Gentlemen; George Henry Millar, ed.: A New, Complete, and Universal Body, or System of Natural History; Being a Grand, Accurate, and Extensive Display of Animated Nature. Containing accurate Descriptions and faithful Histories of all the several Classes of Animals, which inhabit the Air, the Earth, and the Water, in the several Parts of the World. Including an authentic Account of all the infinite Variety of Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, Insects, and Amphibious Creatures, such as Frogs, Lizards, Serpents, &c. and other Animals, too numerous to mention in a Title Page. Comprehending also, a general and very particular Account and Description of all Kinds of Vegetables, Fossils, Shells, Minerals, &c.—and a Theory of the Earth in general. Comprising likewise a genuine History of Waters, Stones, Roots, Barks,… Together with a curious historical Account and Description of the various Classes of Animalcules, which are visible only by the Assistance of Microscopes… The whole comprehending all the valuable Discoveries and Observations of former Writers on the Subject, and Collectors of Natural Curiosities; namely those of Buffon, Linnaeus, Goldsmith, Hill, Brookes, Kenrick, Ward, Smellie, Albin, Berkinhout, Forster, Thickness, Watson, Banks, Solander, Sir Ashton Lever, Pennant, and every other Naturalist of any Reputation or Eminence… London: Printed for for Alex. Hogg, at the King’s Arms, no. 16, in Paternoster-Row, and sold by all booksellers and news-carriers, [1785]. FIRST EDITION. Folio (38.5 cm; 15 1/4 in.) in early/period tree calf, rebacked to style in modern calf, gilt-lettered morocco spine label; 618, [2] pp.; with the list of subscribers; 85 copper-engraved plates, including the frontispiece (complete). ESTC T125266.

Some rubbing and scuffing to the early/original boards, wear to the corners and edges; 1" tear to the upper corner of the frontispiece, contents with just occasional modest toning and offsetting from the plates, otherwise exceedingly clean and fresh. A superb example of this monumental survey of natural history, with thousands of species, objects and phenomena depicted on the 85 leaves of plates. The book has been collated and has every appearance of being complete, the binder's directions listing only 60 plates and ESTC calling for 79.

In addition to the many animals and natural wonders mentioned in the lengthy subtitle above, the book features extended sections on Botany (including the Natural History of Flowers according to the Linnaean system), Geology (including a Theory of the Earth in general), Conchology, Human Anatomy, etc., etc., as well as views of a Greenland Whale Fishery and a Pearl Fishery, and an Account of the Properties, Virtues and various Uses of all the different Subjects of Natural History in Medicine, Mechanics, Manufactures, &c.