Description

[004696] Bell, Thomas. A History of the British Stalk-Eyed Crustacea. London: John Van Voorst, 1853. First Edition. 4to. Hardback. Very Good. [9], x-lxv, [2], 2-386pp. Contemporary full morocco by J. Clarke, raised bands, spine in six panels, title label to second panel, remaining panels gilt with central floral spray, volute corner pieces, and small stars and roundels, covers with dog tooth roll and single line border with a double line frame, double line to board edges, gilt inner dentelles, a.e.g. with comb and curl marbled endpapers

Slightly rubbed to outer joints and corners, text is lightly browned, one small patch of soiling to the border of page xv, otherwise clean. Former owners bookplate to front pastedown (Robert Frederick Green). With one hundred and seventy-four wood engravings

The binder was J.[ohn] Clarke, “one of the best and most prolific of the London binders of the period … He is probably the binder who in 1841 joined up with Bedford. The partnership lasted until 1850, after which Clarke carried on alone till 1859” (Ramsden, London Bookbinders 1780-1840, page 50); see also Packer, page 32

The author Thomas Bell (1792-1880), was a dental surgeon and zoologist, and was responsible for the descriptions of reptilia in the Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle (1843)

Nissen ZBI 294