Poli, Giuseppe Saverio.

First edition, 3 volumes, folio (506 x 340mm.), 57 engraved plates with accompanying key plates, engraved portrait of the author in volume 3, engraved vignettes and headpieces, non-matching bindings of contemporary half calf (volume 3 slightly later), [BM(NH) 1592; Brooks, Edizioni Bodoniane 426; Nissen ZBI 3213], bookseller's ticket of J.B. Bailliere ("Foreign Bookseller, 219 Regent Street"), library stamps of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, some occasional soiling, bindings with some wear, volume 2 spine defective

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."

Rare. "Difficile trovarsi completa" (Brooks). E.R. Sykes, whose mollusc library has been described as "probably the finest and most complete on the subject ever formed by one man" lacked this book. Tony Swann, in a talk to the Conchological Society given in 1992 named it as "one of the great rarities of the field and keenly sought after by collectors".

Giuseppe Saverio Poli (1746-1825) is described by DSB as "the founder of the study of molluscs". Although marine biology was his first line of research, he was something of a polymath. His academic posts included chair of physics at the Royal Military Academy of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and chair of experimental physics at the University of Naples. He was also renowned as a numismatist, and lectured on military history. However, it is for this work on the Mediterranean molluscs for which he is best remembered.