- 8
Donovan, Edward
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Donovan, Edward
- The Natural History of British Fishes. London: For the author and F.C. and J. Rivington and others, 1808-1803-1804-1806-1808
- paper
Mixed edition, 5 volumes bound in 3, 8vo (230 x 140mm.), 120 hand-coloured engraved plates, contemporary calf gilt, [Nissen ZBI 1141; Wood p.322.], ownership inscriptions of George Rowley, dated 1820, plates 50, 51 and 117 with sections of facing text page adhering with matching loss to facing text, browning or spotting to about 25 plates, binding expertly rebacked to style
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
An elegant and classic work of ichthyology. Donovan set out to describe only the fish he had personally examined and illustrate piscatorial portraits from paintings that he executed either from life, or which he painted very soon afterwards, i.e. whilst the subjects "yet glowed with the vivid hues of life… as it is obviously known that nothing can be more fugitive in general than the colours of the more resplendent creatures of this tribe" (advertisement, at front of volume one). He succeeded with one exception: plate 68 and its accompanying physical description were drawn up from information supplied by "a very respectable friend." The finely-coloured plates include a number of the rarer visitors to British waters (sun-fish, king-fish, electric-ray, inter alia) as well as all of the common British fish species.