The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne. With The Naturalist's Calendar; and Miscellaneous Observations, extracted from his Papers. A New Edition; with Notes, by Edward Turner Bennett and Others. SPLENDID COPY OF BENNETT'S 'SELBORNE'

Roy. 8vo., First and Sole Edition thus, with engraved title-vignette and 45 engraved illustrations and facsimiles in the text, small neat contemporary signature on title; handsomely bound in contemporary full tan calf, sides with double frame border in gilt, very neatly rebacked with old backstrip laid down, backstrip with five flat bands tooled in gilt, second compartment with leather label (worn and defective) ruled and lettered in gilt, all other compartments most elaborately tooled in gilt to a repeated acanthus spray design, doublures (mildly chafed) tooled in gilt, dentelles tooled in blind, all edges marbled, marbled endpapers, a most attractive copy in well-restored period binding. With the calligraphic bookplate of Ernest Hayden Bartlett mounted on front paste-down, the bookplate signed additionally by A.W.S. Fenning. Bennett's edition is well-known for its very extensive notes. It is similar to Rennie's edition of 1833, and is published by the same consortium. Some of Rennie's illustrations are reprinted. The work as a whole comprises [1] 'The Natural History of Selborne', [2] 'The Naturalist's Calendar', [3] 'Observations on various Parts of Nature', [4] 'Summary of the Weather', [5] 'Poems' and [6] 'The Antiquities of Selborne', all of which have individual titles. The first work includes White's 'Advertisement', John White's biography, and an extended and valuable Preface (containing an excellent summary of previous editions) by the editor's brother, the former having predeceased publication. The second work includes Dr. Aikin's Advertisement. Among the reprinted illustrations from Rennie there are several interesting revisions of caption. Rennie's 'The Village' here becomes 'Selborne, from Darton'; 'The Little Bridge' is here 'Hollow Lane, and Bridge, near Norton'; and 'The Hanger' is here 'Way leading to Gracious Street'. A lovely copy of an important edition. Martin, pp.132-135.