Beschreibung:

MENDES DA COSTA, Emanuel (1717-1791) - Historia Naturalis Testaceorum Britanniae, or The British Conchology. London: for the author, and sold by Millan, White, Elmsely & Rosson, 1778. First edition with text in English and French by the great botanist, philosopher and collector Mendes da Costa, member of the Royal Society of London and of the Botanical Society of Florence. This work is dedicated to Sir Ashton Lever (of the Museum Leverianum), whose collection included copies probably acquired by Costa. 4to (295 x 232mm). Head-and-tailpieces, 17 contemporary hand-colored engraved plates (lacking the list of subscribers, light spotting and occasional small scattered staining). Full leather binding with gilt decorations and title on spine (light rubbed). Provenance: W. R. Seyeantson (ownerhisp inscription on flyleaf) - Caroline Suzanne Seyeantson (ownership inscription dated 1840 on flyleaf).