1809 – William Bingley on British Quadrupeds | First Edition, Illustrated Animals

Memoirs of British Quadrupeds by William Bingley is a rare, 1809 history of British mammals filled with dozens of engravings of animals. Organized according to Linnaean taxonomy, this work addresses rodents, bats, sheep breeds, horses, oxen and cattle, and even domestic and hunting dogs. Bingley describes their behaviors, instincts, habits, and even their relationships to humans. This particular example is noteworthy for containing plates numbered 7 and 8 which are known to be lacking in many examples of this first edition.   Bibliographic Details Title: Memoirs of British Quadrupeds, ; Illustrative Principally of Their Habits of Life, Instincts, Sagacity, and Uses to Mankind Author(s): William Bingley Illustrator(s): Samuel Howitt Publisher: London: Printed for Darton and Harvey Edition: First Edition. 1809. Binding: Green Moroccan leather Format: (8vo), single volume Size:  8.5 in x 5.5 in (21.6 cm x 14 cm) Collation: xii, [8], 459, 70, [10] pp., [3] Illustrations: plate numbering erratic – 71 plates Includes plates no. 7 and 8 which were often not included in first edition examples Contents Include: Systematic Introduction (Linnaean order) Accounts of Sheep, Dogs, Oxen, Rodents, Horses, Bats Provenance: bookplates – S.J. Wright II Mr Clarke’s reward to W. Mayor William Mayor Reference(s): references   Condition: Near Fine. The green Moroccan binding is clean and tight with gilt detailing intact. Corners and spine show no wear. All edges are gilt. The text block is secure, and the full plate suite is present. Internally complete with no missing pages or plates.   Why Collect This? First edition with all plates present, including plates 7 and 8 zoological work arranged by Linnaeus standards Elegant period leather binding with full gilt edges   Item Number: # 29786 Categories Natural History European History Authors William Bingley Printing Date 19th Century Language English Binding Leather Book Condition Near Fine Collation Complete