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Details
HOLBROOK, John Edwards (1794-1871). North American Herpetology; or a description of the reptiles inhabiting the United States. Philadelphia: Dobson, 1836-38. 5 volumes, 4° (305 x 252mm); comprising the first and second versions of vols I and II, and vol. III. 140 hand-coloured lithographic plates. (First version of vols I and II, and vol. III: very occasional light browning and spotting, a few light stains, creasing to first few leaves of vol. II; second version of vol. I: heavier dampstaining to first 20 leaves not affecting plates.) First version of vols I and II, and vol. III in original contrasting cloth (rebacked and recornered preserving old spine, extremities lightly rubbed), second version of vols I and II in modern cloth. Provenance: ?Gerontin Vaos -- C. F. Baker (20th-century stamps to second version of vol. I).
FIRST EDITION, EXTREMELY RARE. 'One of the most valuable works on reptiles published during the 19th century...Holbrook was regarded as the leading American zoologist of his day' (DAB). A work that 'is worthy of a place in the library... by the side of Audubon and Wilson' (Sabin). Holbrook, having qualified in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, spent four years travelling in Europe. While in Paris he formed close relationships with a group of eminent French zoologists, including Valenciennes, Duméril and Bibron, who turned his attention towards the study of reptiles. He returned to America in 1822, settled in Charleston, South Carolina, and soon after determined to undertake a monograph on the reptiles and batrachians of the United States. The first volume of the first edition was sent to subscribers in 1836, followed by two other volumes in 1838. The reprints of volumes I and II are not mere reprints but, instead, slightly expanded versions which include accounts of additional species. In two instances new species were described. The second version of volume I contains 12 more pages and four more plates. Two other accounts were rewritten from the original text and involved name changes. Vol. IV is extremely rare; 'The fourth volume of the first edition was issued in 1840, but at about that time Holbrook became dissatisfied with the entire edition and recalled it. Since vol. IV had just been issued, it presumably was the easiest to recall; and, indeed only a small portion of the stock may have been released at all' (Richard D. Worthington and Patricia H. Worthington, 'John Edward Holbrook, Father of American Herpetology', Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 1976. pp. xxii-xxiii). The present lot is sold with a facsimile reprint of vol. IV (reprinted using plates from the Second Edition of 1842. Limited edition, no. 1 of 4 copies printed, 28 plates). Bennett p.57; Nissen ZBI 1980; Sabin 32453; Wood p.388; not in BM(NH). (6)
FIRST EDITION, EXTREMELY RARE. 'One of the most valuable works on reptiles published during the 19th century...Holbrook was regarded as the leading American zoologist of his day' (DAB). A work that 'is worthy of a place in the library... by the side of Audubon and Wilson' (Sabin). Holbrook, having qualified in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, spent four years travelling in Europe. While in Paris he formed close relationships with a group of eminent French zoologists, including Valenciennes, Duméril and Bibron, who turned his attention towards the study of reptiles. He returned to America in 1822, settled in Charleston, South Carolina, and soon after determined to undertake a monograph on the reptiles and batrachians of the United States. The first volume of the first edition was sent to subscribers in 1836, followed by two other volumes in 1838. The reprints of volumes I and II are not mere reprints but, instead, slightly expanded versions which include accounts of additional species. In two instances new species were described. The second version of volume I contains 12 more pages and four more plates. Two other accounts were rewritten from the original text and involved name changes. Vol. IV is extremely rare; 'The fourth volume of the first edition was issued in 1840, but at about that time Holbrook became dissatisfied with the entire edition and recalled it. Since vol. IV had just been issued, it presumably was the easiest to recall; and, indeed only a small portion of the stock may have been released at all' (Richard D. Worthington and Patricia H. Worthington, 'John Edward Holbrook, Father of American Herpetology', Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 1976. pp. xxii-xxiii). The present lot is sold with a facsimile reprint of vol. IV (reprinted using plates from the Second Edition of 1842. Limited edition, no. 1 of 4 copies printed, 28 plates). Bennett p.57; Nissen ZBI 1980; Sabin 32453; Wood p.388; not in BM(NH). (6)