The Fossils of The South Downs; Or Illustrations of The Geology of Sussex.

MANTELL Gideon.

Published by London: Lupton Relfe, 13, Cornhill, 1822

About this Item

First edition, quarto (33 x 26cm). One of 475 copies published at three guineas. 'Fossils of The South Downs is Mantell's first and in some respects most important book. It is a systematic description, by stratum, of the Secondary and Tertiary formations in Sussex. Mantell also describes and illustrates the fossils to be found in each stratum. Seventy-six of these fossils, new to science, were here named by him for his scientific friends.'- Dean. pp.iv,[2],320,[8]. With a frontispiece, hand coloured map and 40 further plates, two folding, engraved in aquatint by Mrs. Mary Anne Mantell after drawings by the author, of which four with hand colouring. An entirely uncut copy in original boards, with a new spine to style with label. Some occasional but light foxing to the plates, mostly to the very outer-margins. The rear board with an old stain which affects the rear endpapers and also the final four leaves of index plus the final four plates (visible here on the folding plate), 1.5cm in diameter on the plates, a little larger on the final index leaves, but there restricted to the lower blank margin. The copy of Edward Heron-Allen, writer, polymath & author of the definitive history of Selsey Bill in Sussex, with his engraved armorial bookplate. The board corners slighly worn, otherwise Vg. [Dean 40; Donovan 100; Ward & Carozzi 1480; Agassiz III, 539; Challinor 106; Slade Butler 224]. Seller Inventory # 11268

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Fossils of The South Downs; Or ...

Publisher: London: Lupton Relfe, 13, Cornhill

Publication Date: 1822