The Life of William Scoresby
London: T. Nelson and Sons, 1861. Very Good-. Item #47216
London: T. Nelson and Sons, 1861. First Edition. Octavo (19.5cm); full contemporary gilt-ruled calf, gilt spine in six compartments, black gilt spine label, all edges marbled, marbled endpapers; ix,[1],[9]-406pp.; engraved portrait frontispiece and title page, hand-colored folding map and five leaves of tinted plates. Leather rather dried and scuffed, spine crown slightly pulled and spine gilt heavily flaked; About Very Good, though contents remain clean and sound.
Popular account of the life and exploits of the English whaler, Arctic explorer, and meteorologist William Scoresby (1789-1857). His statement that "No branch of Zoology is so much involved as that which is entitled Cetology" is quoted by Captain Ishmael in Moby Dick.
Provenance: Rather sweet contemporary schoolboy gift inscription to the future Scottish astronomer bibliophile James Ludovic Lindsay (1847-1913) on front flyleaf, "James Ludovic Lindsay from his sincere friend Edward Hassard Short on his leaving Eton / Xmas 1862." Also with the 20th century ownership ex libris of the late chemist and bibliophile Sydney Ross to front pastedown.
Price: $150.00