Pictorial Museum of Animated Nature; and Companion for the Zoological Gardens
London: London Printing and Publishing Company, Limited. [ca 1856]. Engraved title page. Each volume illustrated with four thousand wood engravings. Early re-issue. Two volumes bound in one. Recently re-backed, contemporary half black calf over dark gray pebbled cloth, with gilt tooling. Gilt decorations on spine. Marbled endpapers, all edges marbled. Quarto. [vi], 400; [iv] 432. 14" x 10.75" Sparse foxing and spotting throughout, previous tape repair to four leaves, 4-in tears to 345 and 347. Mild rubbing to boards with three small spots of wear. Mildly edge worn. Overall, very good, tight and handsome. Item #227563
Charles Knight grew up in a world of words. Starting as an apprentice to his bookselling and publishing father, Knight then moved on to journalism and made a name for himself as an author, editor, and publisher. Among his publications are many encyclopedias and illustrated editions, such as the Pictorial Shakspere [sic] and this work, the Pictorial Museum of Animated Nature. Most likely based on the work of William Charles Linnaeus Martin, a former curator of the museum at the Zoological Society of London, this volume lives up to its name as it brings a museum right into your hands, complete with thousands of charming wood engravings of a vast range of creatures.
Price: $450.00