Details
ALBERT C. L. G. GNTHER (1830-1914)
The Reptiles of British India, London: printed by Taylor and Francis, published for the Ray Society by Robert Hardwicke, 1864. 2 (373 x 260mm). 26 lithographic plates by G.H.Ford and J.Dinkel, printed by W.West. Contemporary red half morocco gilt (extremities rubbed). Provenance: A.R.Clark, L.L.D. (author's presentation inscription).
First edition, author's presentation copy. Rare at auction. Gnther, German born and educated, joined the staff of the zoological department at the British Museum in 1862, where he remained for 33 years (from 1875-1895 as keeper of department). He "was a devoted and learned systematic zoologist, author of over four hundred memoirs which range over a wide field... He possessed a remarkable knowledge of mammals, of birds, and especially of of the lower orders of vertebrates, in regard both to their anatomical features and their habits and life-history. Thus he was able to supply Darwin with so much infomation respecting the nuptial pecularities and the reproduction of the lower vertebrates, that the great naturalist wrote: 'My essay [ i.e. Descent of Man, vol.ii, c.12], as far as fishes, batrachians, and reptiles are concerned, will be in fact yours, only written by me'" (DNB). BM(NH) IV, p.1655; Nissen ZBI 1744.
The Reptiles of British India, London: printed by Taylor and Francis, published for the Ray Society by Robert Hardwicke, 1864. 2 (373 x 260mm). 26 lithographic plates by G.H.Ford and J.Dinkel, printed by W.West. Contemporary red half morocco gilt (extremities rubbed). Provenance: A.R.Clark, L.L.D. (author's presentation inscription).
First edition, author's presentation copy. Rare at auction. Gnther, German born and educated, joined the staff of the zoological department at the British Museum in 1862, where he remained for 33 years (from 1875-1895 as keeper of department). He "was a devoted and learned systematic zoologist, author of over four hundred memoirs which range over a wide field... He possessed a remarkable knowledge of mammals, of birds, and especially of of the lower orders of vertebrates, in regard both to their anatomical features and their habits and life-history. Thus he was able to supply Darwin with so much infomation respecting the nuptial pecularities and the reproduction of the lower vertebrates, that the great naturalist wrote: 'My essay [ i.e. Descent of Man, vol.ii, c.12], as far as fishes, batrachians, and reptiles are concerned, will be in fact yours, only written by me'" (DNB). BM(NH) IV, p.1655; Nissen ZBI 1744.