An Essay Towards a Natural History of Serpents: In Two Parts.

£1,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

delightful illustrations First edition of this attractive work on the biology, cultural relevance, and mythology of snakes, illustrated with seven engraved plates. This copy with evidence of use, including a few manuscript annotations and a short note bound in at page 115 on the snakes of Barbary, from Jackson's Account of the Empire of Marocco. 'A compendium of 18th-century perceptions, the work draws on classical, biblical and mythological sources in its depiction of snakes, turtles, wasps and scorpions, as well as such mythical creatures as griffins and dragons, all of which are classified under the title "serpent." Owen also includes a section on poison and antidotes, and describes the folklore associated with such animals in all countries of the world' (National Library of Medicine 335). First edition; 4to (24 x 18.5 cm); 7 engraved plates, floral head and tailpieces, some manuscript notes in ink within the text and a half-page leaf of contemporary manuscript notes bound in at page 115, original blanks lacking, occasional small spots to the contents, a few small closed tears in the margins; recently rebound to style in tan half calf, spine gilt in compartments with red morocco label, marbled sides, blue speckled edges, endpapers renewed, an excellent copy; 240pp, 12pp index. National Library of Medicine 335, Nissen ZBI 3033.

• Binding: Hardcover

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