A general history of quadrupeds. The figures engraved on wood by T. Bewick.

Newcastle upon Tyne : printed by and for S. Hodgson, R. Beilby, & T. Bewick, Newcastle : sold by them, by G. G. J. & J. Robinson, and C. Dilly, London, 1790. First edition. Large octavo, contemporary full speckled calf, edges very lightly rubbed, flat panelled spine ruled in gilt, contrasting morocco title label lettered in gilt, engraved armorial bookplate for Calverly Bewicke Esquire of Close House (no relation) to front pastedown, pp. viii; 456, illustrated with 200 wood-engravings of quadrupeds 103, tail-pieces and other ornamentation, internally clean.

A fine copy of the first edition, in a handsome contemporary binding, with an engraved bookplate by Thomas Bewick.

The first book by the Northumbrian engraver, Thomas Bewick’s General history is noted for its faithful depictions presented in proper sequence. It includes 260 mammals from Adive to Zorilla, ordered in group of similar type. It features a number of newly discovered and described animals from New Holland, including the platypus (simply referred to as “an amphibious animal”); the Spotted, Vulpine and Flying opossums of New South Wales; the opossum of Van Diemen’s Land; The New South Wales Dog; the kanguroo, and the kanguroo-rat of New South Wales. It was printed in an edition of 1500 copies.

Calverly Bewicke (1755 – 1815) was an English commander of the Durham Militia and an MP for Winchelsea in Sussex from 1806 to 1816. He had three bookplates engraved by Thomas Bewick, of which this is the first, engraved in 1792, 300 copies of which were printed.

References:

TATTERSFIELD, Nigel. Thomas Bewick : the complete illustrative work TB. 1.1

TATTERSFIELD, Nigel. Bookplates of Beilby & Bewick, p. 64