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