- 31
Russell, Patrick.
Estimate
4,500 - 5,500 GBP
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Description
- Descriptions and Figures of Two Hundred Fishes; collected at Vizagapatam on the coast of Coromandel. London: W. Bulmer & co., Shakespeare Press, for G. and W. Nicol, 1803
- paper
First edition, 2 volumes, folio (490 x 345mm.), 198 aquatint plates on 171 leaves, uncut, contemporary marbled boards, later paper spines, [Nissen Schone Fischbucher 110; Nissen ZBI 3540; Wood, p.547]
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
A fine uncut copy. Patrick Russell (1727-1805), was a British physician and naturalist. For the first part of his career he was a physician in Aleppo, Syria, where he studied plague and other diseases (see lot 298 for a copy his brother's The Natural History of Aleppo, 1756). In the 1780s he travelled to India, and while employed as a naturalist for the East India Company, he made large collections of specimens and drawings of the plants, fishes, and reptiles of the country. Russell’s collection of fishes was deposited in the Company’s museum at Madras. Included in the collection is Russell’s Ribbon-fish (Regalecus russelli), finely illustrated on plate 40. It was caught on the outside of the surf at Vizagapatam in March 1788 and the fisherman could give no name to it.
This rare work was never issued in a coloured state. The author explains in his preface that it was found that the colours of the fish deteriorated too rapidly after death.
This rare work was never issued in a coloured state. The author explains in his preface that it was found that the colours of the fish deteriorated too rapidly after death.