Thomas Bewick — A General History of Quadrupeds

Newcastle Upon Tyne , S. Hodgson, R. Beilby, and T. Bewick, 1800. Leather. The fourth edition of Thomas Bewick's innovative illustrated natural history on quadrupeds, containing one of the first published illustrations of a wombat and a platypus. Fourth edition, including additional entries on new livestock breeds and two newly discovered and unusual Australian animals, a wombat and a playtpus, the latter named here simply as "An Amphibious Animal". These creatures had been sent to Newcastle in 1798 by John Hunter, the governor of New South Wales.  First published in 1790. Title variant A, without Bell and Rivington to imprint.  In recent half crushed morocco binding, with marbled paper covered boards and cloth spine labels. Renewed endpapers. No half title, as issued.  With figures engraved on wood by Bewick, including a title page vignette and charming vignettes of the aniamls throughout.  An immediate success upon its first publication, this natural history was written and illustrated by English wood engraver and author, Thomas Bewick,  whose interest in the natural world strengthened through his keen interest in capturing these scenes and animals as closely as possible. Innovative components of his subsequent Quadrupeds include the tail-pieces to the end of his short descriptive essays on the animals, which provide a charming image of contemporary country life as observed by Bewick.   In recent half crushed morocco binding, with marbled paper covered boards and cloth spine labels. Renewed endpapers. No half title, as issued. Externally, fine. internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with spots to the title page and the occasional spot throughout. Pages 385-[526] are toned. Chip to the title page, only minorly affecting the vignette. Chip to last page, not affecting text. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Thomas Bewick. Very Good Indeed .