Zoography by William Wood - 1807: or, the beauties of nature displayed, with select descriptions of the animal, and vegetable, with additions from the mineral kingdom

Good copy of this classic of natural history illustration

Famous for its dramatic illustrations of animals, birds, insects, plants in almost Gothic landscapes, initiating the new style of picturesque natural history against exotic backgrounds used by Robert Thornton in Temple of Flora, 1807.

With 51 (of 60) dramatic aquatints drawn and engraved by William Daniell, some after original drawings by his brother Samuel Daniell.

Vol. I, quadrupeds and birds, xx, 572, 18 aquatint plates; Vol. II, reptiles, fish, insects, and shellfish, viii, 618, 19 aquatint plates; Vol. III, plants and minerals, viii, 612, 14 aquatint plates.

The fascinating text includes anecdotes about the animals extracted from natural historians such as Count Buffon, George Shaw, Thomas Pennant, Anders Sparrman, and explorers including James Bruce, Giuseppe Acerbi, John Gabriel Stedman, etc.

The illustrations are drawn from living specimens, many on location or in the menagerie at the Exeter Exchange. The backgrounds feature Gothic castles, pyramids, pagodas, temples, jungles and deserts.

William Daniell (1769-1837) was an important British landscape and marine painter, engraver and printmaker. He also produced books of picturesque aquatint views of India with his uncle Thomas Daniell, Oriental Scenery, 1812, and the UK, A Voyage Around Great Britain, 1814-25.

William Wood (1774–1857) trained as a surgeon, but left to become a natural history bookseller, publisher and naturalist. In addition to zoology, he also wrote books on conchology and entomology.

Half leather with five raised bands and blind-stamped title on spine, marble boards, bookplates of Anthony Surtees in each volume. Bookblock solid, interior with age toning to text and plates, distinct musty smell.

Heavy set will require extra shipping charges.