A History of British Fishes, in two volumes (third edition)

London: John Van Voorst, 1859. Third edition.. A touch of foxing to the blank endpapers at the front and rear of each volume, there is a very small bump affecting the bottom outer corner of the frontis matter of volume 1 only; a very attractively bound set in near fine condition.. Pp. xxxviii, (i); 675; pp. (ii), 670; with 522 wood-engravings. Publisher's original one-half dark brown calf leather over reddish tan boards set off by gilt border lines, spine with five raised bands decorated in gilt and with gilt lettering in two compartment and elaborate gilt floral decorations in the other four compartments, all page edged marbled, and with matching marbled endpapers, lg 8vo. A valuable work on the natural history of British fishes, freshwater and marine covering 260 species. This is the third and final edition published after the death of William Yarnell. This third edition was edited by Sir John Richardson who also provided a memoir of the Yarnell. According to Westwood & Satchell, Bibliotheca Piscatoria, pp. 243-4, this set is "Indispensable." Armorial book plate of Harry Blake Knox of Moyne Abby on the front endpaper of each volume. No other ownership marks and few signs of use.