G. B. Sowerby — A Conchological Manual

London, Henry G. Bohn, 1846 . First edition. Cloth. Illustrated throughout with engraved plates, this is the third edition of George Brettingham Sowerby's study of shells and shell collecting. The third edition of this work, which was first published in 1839.Illustrated with two folding tables, a frontispiece, and twenty-six plates, with further vignettes. Collated, lacking one plate.Aimed at both amateur shell-collectors and specialist conchologists, this work presents an alphabetical treatment of molluscan shells, organised in accordance with the systems of Lamarck and de Blainville.Sowerby's work reflects the Victorian era's fascination with natural history and the popularity of shell-collecting as a hobby. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Boards bright, with back strip age toned. Minor losses of cloth to back strip head and tail, with two horizontal closed tears to back strips. Rear joint head starting, with board firmly held. Front hinge strained, and lightly tender. Internally, generally firmly bound, but with one plate detached and loosely inserted, and four plates tenderly held to the tail only. Pages clean and bright. Lacking one plate. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .