The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne,

London: by T. Bensley; for B. White and Son,, 1789. First edition of one the great English books of the 18th century, "the first book which raised natural history into the region of literature" (Ency. Brit.), in an attractive contemporary binding. The text is arranged into three sequences of letters, those addressed to Thomas Pennant and to Daines Barrington forming the natural history portion of the volume, the remainder forming an account of parish antiquities. "White's Natural History of Selborne is open to everyone, for everyone has observed much of what it describes. Writer and reader each share the inheritance of the natural world, and delight in what is given, so that Selborne becomes an expression of universal thanksgiving, treasured by all" (ODNB). Quarto (255 x 193 mm). Contemporary diced calf by T. Barratt of Oxford, smooth spine divided by gilt fillets, gilt lettering and ornaments in compartments, covers bordered with a triple gilt fillet, board edges and turn-ins tooled in gilt, marbled endpapers, edges gilt, green silk bookmarker. With 7 engraved plates, of which 2 folding (one of these a panoramic view of Selborne as frontispiece), 2 engraved vignettes on part-titles. 19th-century label on front pastedown of one T. E. Watson, perhaps Thomas Edward Watson (1856-1922), American Populist and newspaper editor; pencilled ownership inscription of one R. Peirson dated 1868 on an initial blank. Short superficial splits at joints ends, a touch of wear to corners, head of front cover slightly faded, foxing to endpapers and plates, faint offsetting from plates, couple of minor marks, else clean. A very good, wide-margined copy. Freeman 3976.