A Treatise on Malacology ;; Or the natural classification of Of Shells And Shell-Fish
London: Longman, Brown Green and Longmans, n.d. calf. Octavo : (v) viii 419 (422) : engraved title page W. Swainson del., E. Finden sc. : in-text illustrations throughout : marbeld endpapers in tan and blue : green calf-covered boards with blind-stamped border and a tiny binder's stamp to foot of the top board ("Bound by J. G. Miskin") : four raised bands to the spine : each panel decorated in gilt with rope borders : title panel reads "Shells and Shell-Fish".
Head of spine very tender with front joint separating for top 3 cm; all edges heavily rubbed; top corner of top board is rounded and abraded; title page is foxed as are last four pages ; lacking two preliminaries (only five pp. preceding the page marked viii; these include 2pp. blanks, vignette t.p. (verso blank) 2pp contents). Good. Item #1747
Swainson was a naturalist better appreciated for his illustrations than his science, which it seems was often wrong. This item appears to match the "cabinet history" edition of 1840; perhaps a later rebind of the same.
Price: $200.00