John Hunter | A Natural History of the Human Teeth, London, 1771-1778

John Hunter.

A natural history of the human teeth; A practical treatise on the diseases of the teeth, intended as a supplement to the natural history of those parts. London: for J. Johnson, 1771-1778

2 works in one volume, 4to (261 x 200mm.), 16 engraved plates, contemporary speckled calf, lacking both half-titles, upper cover and front flyleaf detached, lower joint weak, extremities rubbed

FIRST EDITIONS. Hunter's treatise "was the first scientific study of the teeth and is basic to all modern dentistry" (Eimas). Hunter's collection of anatomical and natural history specimens was purchased in 1799 by the government for the Royal College of Surgeons.

"The Figures were drawn by Mr Rymsdyk, under the Author's Direction, and engraved by Mess. Strange, Grignion, Ryland, and others" (preface). Jan van Rymsdyk, a Dutch anatomical artist active in London, also produced the drawings for Hunter's brother William's anatomical work on the human gravid uterus.

References:

Blake p.226; Eimas 968; Garrison-Morton 3675; Norman 1116; Wellcome III, 317

Provenance:

W.M. Thackeray (not the novelist), inscription; Bedford General Hospital medical library, inkstamp on front endpaper (with withdrawn stamp)