BEWICK, THOMAS.

A General History of Quadrupeds. The Figures engraved on Wood by T. Bewick. The fourth edition.

Newcastle upon Tyne, Printed by and for S. Hodgson, R. Beilby, and T. Bewick, 1800.

Clean and well-preserved copy bound in a nice contemporary full marbled calf. Early rebacked with a richly gilt spine and colored labels. With 212 woodcuts and 107 vignettes. (4), X, 526 pp.

Fourth edition of Thomas Bewick’s first book—the first to be printed on Imperial thick wove paper—which established his reputation as a pioneer in the revival of wood engraving. More than a mere reprint, this edition is significantly revised, expanded, and improved from the first edition published a decade earlier. Many blocks have been reworked, and 12 new figures have been added. Rather than the commonly used pearwood, Bewick adopted the harder boxwood, allowing for sharper impressions and greater durability.

Order-nr.: 62099