Author, Creators: 

         -- Edwards, George (1694 to 1773), A Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Society of Antiquaries, London

Title:

         -- A Natural History of Uncommon Birds and of Some Other Rare and Unsubscribed Animals : Quadrupeds, Reptiles, Fishes, Insects : Exhibited in Two hundred and ten copper plates, from designs copied immediately from nature, and curiously colored after life, with a full and accurate description of each figure, to which is added, a brief and general idea of drawing and painting in water colour, with instructions for etching on copper with aqua fortis, likewise from thoughts on the passage of birds, and additions to many of the subjects described in this work, in four parts by George Edwards, library keeper to the Royal College of Physicians. London: printed for the author, at the College of Physicians, in Warwick Lane.

Publisher, Details:

         -- Replica of (original) London : College of Physicians ; 1743, by Library Archive Services, undated, circa 1999.

This is volume 1 only from the series of 7 volumes.

140 pages.  Clean and Unmarked Text.  Wonderful full color representation of the original historic volume.  Soft flex glossy covers with cloth spine. Exact and precise color matching to the original.  Privately published.  Very good, like new condition.  

Subject, Features:   

Many bird species, and early identification, some now extinct. Animals and their the birds habitat.

George Edwards FRS (3 April 1694 – 23 July 1773) was an English naturalist and ornithologist, known as the "father of British ornithology".  Over a period of 21 years, Edwards published seven volumes containing descriptions and hand-coloured etchings of birds. In a few cases, he depicted other animals. None of the species were native to the British Isles. The first four volumes were published between 1743 and 1751 with the title A Natural History of Uncommon Birds. The three subsequent volumes were published between 1758 and 1764 with the title Gleanings Of Natural History. The volumes contain a total of 362 hand-coloured etchings of which 317 depict birds. The etchings were all drawn by Edwards. He numbered the plates consecutively through the seven volumes. -- Source Wikipedia

~~  This is volume 1 (only) of seven in series on natural history by Edwards.  Pages are numbered in volume sequence. 

~~ Excerpt from preface:   The wisdom and power of God are manifest to all rational creatures, from a contemplation of his wonderful works in the creation of this world: He hath formed every beast of the field, bird of the air, and fish of the waters: he hath also formed every tree and plant; every creeping insect was made by Him.  All that the earth, air, or waters produce were created by God's power. Now man being the only rational being in this world, it seemeth plain by natural light, that the dominion of all creatures was given to him by God; therefore since man's obligation to God is greater than that of any other creature, his acts of humiliation, adoration and gratitude ought to be in some degree profortionable to the favour and benefits he hath received.  Amongst the many acts of gratitude we owe to God, it may be accounted one, to study and contemplate the perfections and beauties of his works of creation.  Every new discovery must necessarily raise in us a fresh sense of the greatness, wisdom and power of God: He hath so ordered things that almost every part of the creation is for our benefit, either to the support of our being, the delight of our senses, or the agreeable exercise of the rational faculty.  etc.

~~  Firmly readable. Paperback : soft cover edition in very good, like new clean condition, a typical used book with some slight wear to edges and spine.  As to be expected with used books, there may be some minor bumping, creases, and/or scuffs. Overall a wonderful copy, excellent resource and reading enjoyment.   

         --  Modern reprint edition. 

-- Defects: Typical general used book wear from being moved around the shop.   

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