MARTYN, THOMAS. Figures of Non Descript Shells, collected in the different Voyages to the South Seas since the year 1764. London: T. Martyn 1784. Vol. 1 only (of 2), large 4to, 405 x 410mm. (15 7/8 x 16 1/8in.), quarter calf over marbled boards, back and corners worn, title slightly offset on frontispiece, occasional very faint browning to a few sheets only. "South Seas" issue derived from The Universal Conchologist, etched outline frontispiece within a gilt Greek key pattern border, 40 engraved plates only (of 80) probably by J. Basire, J. Carwitham and J. Smith, all superbly handcolored (in the celebrated Martyn atelier in Bond Street) to resemble original watercolors, showing at least two faces of each shell per sheet, each subject with black ink ruled borders (a de luxe issue has gilt borders) and numbered by a contemporary hand, interleaved with blue sugarpaper (also with ink outline ruling and numeration). Engraved title, dedication and 27 pp. text in English and French, engraved "Explanatory Table" and a sheet of "Observations..." Nissen ZBI 2728. [With:] MARTYN, T. The Universal Monitor. 1785. Handcolored engraving (sheet: 340 x 275mm., 13 3/8 x 10 7/8in.), tipped in before title-page of the preceding.