Darwin, Charles, editor

FIRST COMPLETE EDITION, 5 parts in 2 volumes, comprising:

i) Owen, Richard. Fossil Mammalia. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1840, sectional title, main title, preface, contents, list of plates, 32 plain lithographed plates, one folding, a few double-page, early plates somewhat spotted



ii) Waterhouse, George R. Mammalia. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1839, sectional title, main title, list of plates, index leaf, 32 hand-coloured lithographed plates, 3 plain engraved plates, occasional spotting



iii) Gould, John. Birds. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1841, sectional title, main title, index to the species, errata leaf, list of plates, 50 hand-coloured engraved plates, a few plate numbers shaved



iv) Jenyns, Leonard. Fish. London: Smith Elder and Co., 1842, sectional title, main title, table of species / list of plates (these bound in the other volume), 29 plain lithographed plates



v) Bell, Thomas. Reptilia. [London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1843], list of species/plates, 20 plain lithographed plates, occasional spotting, bound without main title



2 volumes, 4to (300 x 230mm.), contemporary tree calf by Clyde, expertly rebacked to style

Freeman 9; Grolier Club, Darwin, p.11; Nissen ZBI 1391; Norman 586

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."

THIS IMPORTANT REPORT ON THE ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS OBTAINED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BEAGLE EXPEDITION IS RARELY FOUND COMPLETE. The work originally appeared in nineteen numbers published between February 1838 and October 1843.

As well as editing the work, Darwin contributed a preface to the whole, a geological introduction to the Fossil Mammalia, and a geographical introduction to the Mammalia.

The third part has fifty hand-coloured plates of birds executed by Elizabeth Gould after sketches by her husband.