6 volumes, 8vo (241 x 140 mm; 248 x 152 mm). 318 hand-colored lithographic plates. (Spotting throughout, embossed stamps on all plates.) First Series: Contemporary half morocco, marbled boards, gilt edges (extremities rubbed, call numbers gilt-stamped on spines); Second Series: Original? quarter roan, drab boards, call numbers gilt-stamped on spine, upper cover detached and spine partially perished on the Shells volume). Provenance: Worcester Public Library (bookplate, embossed stamps on title-pages, plates, and text leaves).

ONE OF THE EARLIEST NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS TO FEATURE HAND-COLORED LITHOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS.

FIRST EDITION, combining the first and second series. Swainson was a British naturalist and illustrator known for his contributions to zoology and the use of the then-new art of lithography, in scientific illustration. His adoption of lithographic printing, rather than traditional engraving, allowed for more efficient and detailed reproductions of natural history subjects. Nissen IVB 911.