Lot 64C email save

PERRY, George (fl. 1810). Conchology, or the Natur

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London: W. Bulmer and Co. for William Miller, [1810]-1811 [text watermarked 'W. Turner & Son', no watermarked dates to either text or plates]. Folio (413 x 280 mm). 61 fine aquatint plates, printed in bistre and finished by hand by John Clarke after Perry. Contemporary panelled brown straight grain morocco, sides bordered in gilt and blind spine in seven richly gilt compartments, lettered in the second. Condition: plates have offset onto facing text, plate 12 bound upside down, 40 mm. tear to outer blank margin of text leaf to plate 2; neatly rebacked with original spine laid down, extremities rubbed, small area of loss to leather in one spine compartment, endpapers spotted, inner hinges strengthened with cloth. Provenance: Lynn Abbott Trust. first edition of this famous work, illustrated with a beautiful series of aquatint plates. Perry's work was not well received by the scientific community: a number of leading scientists questioned the accuracy of Perry's images. George Sowerby, for instance, describing the work as "fantastical conchology". The plates may be of doubtful use as scientifuic records, but their beauty is undeniable and they stand as the only major conchological work to be illustrated with aquatints. Nissen ZBI 3134 (noting copies with watermarks dated between 1808 and 1836).

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