BELL, Charles. Illustrations of the Great Operations of Surgery, Trepan, Hernia, Amputation, Aneurism and Lithotomy. London: A. & R. Spottiswoode for Longman, Hurst, et al, 1821.

BELL, Charles. Illustrations of the Great Operations of Surgery, Trepan, Hernia, Amputation, Aneurism and Lithotomy. London: A. & R. Spottiswoode for Longman, Hurst, et al, 1821.

Oblong 4^o (272 x 375 mm). 20 etched plates, 6 in sepia, all but 3 hand colored (some fingersoiling and occasional spotting). (First few text leaves creased.) Contemporary half morocco, morocco title-label on upper cover (joints and extremities rubbed, a bit worn).

FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, FIRST ISSUE. RARE with some of the plates printed in sepia. "One of the most remarkable illustrated books in the history of surgery" (Norman). Great Operations was issued in parts during 1820-1821, and the first complete version was printed during the latter year. The plates were prepared after Bell's drawings by Thomas Landseer (1795-1880), brother of Edwin Landseer. "Most copies have the plates printed in black, but at least one copy exists with the plates in sepia" (Norman). Garrison-Morton 5588; Norman 174 (plates in black); Waller 857; Wellcome II, p.136.