Natural History General and Particular By the Count de Buffon Translated into English Illustrated and Occasional Notes and Observations

Count de Buffon, William Smellie (Notes etc)

Published by W Strahan and T Cadell, London, 1785

About this Item

Nine volumes of this popular of natural history. Scarce in this particular translation, especially in this complete state. A very good early translation of this classic work in a lovely original binding. Some hinges needing attention but still great to see in this binding. Clean and bright internally. Natural History, General and Particular discusses several differing species in the animal kingdom from Apes to the Hippopotamus. Volume IX is a corrections and additions volume providing lots of further information. There are 307 illustrated plates across all volumes conveying numerous animals such as dogs, cats and elephants. Collated, complete with all plates. Comte de Buffon was a French author and his natural history was originally published from 1749-1804. It spanned to an encyclopedic collection of 36 quartos. This English translation was published prior to the to completion of this work. The work ended up being limited to the animal and mineral kingdoms. This translation has numerous notes and observations by William Smellie, a Scottish encyclopedist and naturalist. The Second Edition of this translation. In full tree calf bindings. Externally, generally smart with patches of rubbing to the spines, joints and extremities. Split to the front joint of volume I. Front hinge to volume I is tender with cords showing. Small loss to the head of spine to volume I. Rear joint to volume I is starting but firm with the hinge tender. Hinges to volume II are starting but firm. Front joint and hinge to volume III have failed and board is detached. Front endpaper has also detached. Rear joint and hinge to vol III is weak and may detach with further handling. Loss to the head and tail of spine to vol IV. Front joint and hinge to volume V are tender with cords showing. Rear joint to vol V is starting but firm with the hinge slightly strained but firm. Front joint and hinge to volume VI are strained. Loss to the head and tail of spine to volume VI also. Both joints and hinges to volume VII are tender with cords showing. Loss to the head of spine and joints to volume VIII. Front joint and hinge to volume VIII are strained but firm. Front hinge and joint to volume IX are weak and held by one cord only. May detach with further handling. Small crack to head of rear joint to vol IX resulting in the hinge being strained but firm. Prior owner's bookplate to the front pastedown with the monogram C R. Internally, all volumes are firmly bound. Pages are generally bright with som instances of light scattered spots. Good.

Seller Inventory # SET48-H-1

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Natural History General and Particular By the Count de Buffon Translated into English Illustrated and Occasional Notes and Observations
• Publisher: W Strahan and T Cadell, London
• Publication Date: 1785
• Binding: Leather
• Illustrator: Various
• Condition: Good
• Book Type: book