RAFINESQUE, CONSTANTINE SAMUEL. 'ICHTHYOLOGIA OHIENSIS, OR, NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FISHES INHABITING THE RIVER OHIO AND ITS TRIBUTARY STREAMS'. LEXINGTON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY W.G. HUNT, 1820

8vo (9 3/16 x 6 1/4 in.; 233 x 158mm). 90pp., stabbed and stitched; some foxing, largely unstitched, lacking upper wrapper (pp. 1-2), hole in last two leaves affecting six words (pp. 81-82) and 9 words in the Index (pp. 89-90), staining to final leaves, some minor dampstaining, final leaves ragged with some marginal loss. Slipcase and folding chemise.

Smithsonian Institution Libraries (blindstamp on first leaf; Christie's New York, 29 October 1992, lot 124)

Bruns R6; Grolier/Henderson 33; Howes R10; Litchfield 14; Sabin 67453

8vo (9 3/16 x 6 1/4 in.; 233 x 158mm). 90pp., stabbed and stitched; some foxing, largely unstitched, lacking upper wrapper (pp. 1-2), hole in last two leaves affecting six words (pp. 81-82) and 9 words in the Index (pp. 89-90), staining to final leaves, some minor dampstaining, final leaves ragged with some marginal loss. Slipcase and folding chemise.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

First edition of a work of legendary rarity Rafinesque was a 19th century polymath. Self-educated in France, as a young man he travelled in the United States between 1802-04, and in 1815 returned and settled in Ohio where he remained until his death. Whilst in the United States, Rafinesque made notable contributions to the fields of botany, zoology, and the study of prehistoric earthworks. The title present here—originally published in the 'Western Review' in December 1819-November 1820—is the cornerstone of Rafinesque's ichthyological works.