A New Complete and Universal Body Or System of Natural History Being a Grand, Accurate and Extensive Display of Animated Nature Containing Accurate Descriptions and Faithful Histories of all the Several Classes of Animals

A sweeping Georgian natural history compendium by George Henry Millar, offering a wide-ranging illustrated survey of animal life for the 18th century general reader. In a later half morocco binding, with blue cloth boards and the original morocco spine label laid down. First edition. Illustrated with an engraved general frontispiece by Taylor after Hamilton, dated 1785, and seventy-eight copper-plates. One plate, depicting the Linnean System, fully detached but present, loosely inserted. Collated, complete. ESTC No.: T125266. A sweeping 18th century folio natural history compendium, issued under the inspection of George Henry Millar, presenting itself as a "new, complete, and universal body" of natural history. The work ranges across quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, shells, botany, fossils, minerals, microscopy, human natural history, and the practical uses of natural productions in medicine and manufacture. Such folios helped popularise natural history beyond specialist scientific circles, presenting exotic and domestic animals alike for the curiosity of household readers and collectors, drawing on the writings and discoveries of Buffon, Linnaeus, Goldsmith, Hill, Brookes, Kennick, Ward, Smellie, Albin, Berkenhout, Forster, Pennant, and others. In a later half morocco binding, with blue cloth boards and the original morocco spine label laid down.Externally, generally smart. Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities, with very slight lifting to morocco and cloth. Light soiling with one or two handling marks and spots of damp staining to boards. Creasing and slight chipping to spine label. Armorial bookplates of Charles Bruce, 3rd Earl of Ailesbury with a later manuscript bookseller"s note to the front pastedown. Hinges trained; front hinge reinforced. Rear free endpaper partially disbound. Slight discolouration from binder's glue to endpapers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean if slightly age toned with one or two spots and handling marks, heavier to fore edge and first and last few leaves. 7 inch closed tear to fore edge of 2y2, not affecting the legibility of the text. Very Good.