Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linnæus, W. MacGillivray

£75.00

Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linnæus, W. MacGillivray

Name: Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linnæus, W. MacGillivray
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4790
Price: 75.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linnæus, W. MacGillivray — Second Edition

Publication: Edinburgh, Oliver & Boyd; and Simpkin & Marshall, London, 1834

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [frontispiece], 391.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original publisher’s cloth binding remains tight and structurally sound, though the spine is significantly sun-faded to a tan hue with light fraying and chipping at the head and tail. The plum-coloured boards retain their blind-stamped borders and the gilt central wreath is pleasantly bright, despite some minor superficial scratching and a faint circular discolouration on the rear board. Internally, the hinges are perfectly solid, and the text block is securely bound with gently age-toned, untrimmed edges. There is noticeable foxing and offsetting to the frontispiece and the title page, alongside typical light scattered spotting throughout, but the pages are otherwise clean and highly legible, making this a remarkably well-preserved survival of a delicate 19th-century casing.

Catalogue Note: This second edition features a handsome engraved frontispiece portrait of Carl Linnaeus by J. Horsburgh, protected by its original tissue guard. It is particularly notable for remaining in its original publisher's cloth, a delicate early example of edition binding that often perishes or is replaced with half-calf rebinds.

Original cloth copies from the 1830s have become increasingly scarce on the open market, particularly those that have not suffered severe structural degradation to the text block or joints.

A fascinating 19th-century biographical journey through the history of zoology, William MacGillivray’s Lives of Eminent Zoologists traces the evolution of natural history from antiquity to the Enlightenment. By examining the lives, struggles, and discoveries of monumental figures such as Aristotle, Pliny the Elder, Ray, Reaumur, and Linnaeus, MacGillivray brings the study of the natural world into brilliant focus, offering a captivating read for both history buffs and naturalists.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: W. MacGillivray

Book Publisher: Oliver & Boyd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Natural History

Book edition: Second Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 391

Book Publication Year: 1834

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: J. Horsburgh

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.