Rare, antiquarian, used & out-of-print books on Marine Biology, fish and other things that live in the water or ocean at Horizon Books.

ALCOCK, A.; A Naturalist in Indian Seas, or, Four Years with the Royal Indian Marine Survey Ship "Investigator". London, John Murray, 1902, First edition, large 8vo [23.5 x 16 cm]; xxiv, 328 pp, photogravure frontis of the ship, 98 illustrations on 58 plates, folding map, bibliog, tables, index, later green morocco-backed boards, gilt spine title lettering, gilt decorations on raised bands, very lightly foxed on few leaves, mostly marginal, near fine sound copy in handsome binding.

Wood p. 184. Most of the book is a quality narrative of the voyage in the Indian Ocean, including Laccadive Sea, Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. Also included is a history of the ship "Investigator" and its use in gathering information on natural history over more than a decade, with the final section being on the marine biology of the Indian seas. The illustrations are of fish and other marine creatures, An important study and interesting narrative.

US$200. bookID # 12618


BOULENGER, E. G.; The Aquarium Book. London, Duckworth, [1925], First edition, 8vo [22 x 14.5 cm]; 208pp, frontis from painting, plates from paintings and photos, plus many other illustrations from drawings by L. R. Brightwell (complete), original cloth, gilt spine title lettering, spine faded but lettering clear, minor foxing at outer edge of text block, very good and clean, unmarked.

The first edition of a book that became a classic on aquariums as illustrated by its many reprints. It covers both sea-water and fresh-water aquariums, with many still relevant ideas and approaches and some fascinating illustrations.

US$18. bookID # 13657


BRYMER, J. H. P.; Guide to Tropical Fishkeeping. London, Water Life, Dorset House, [[1954], First edition, 8vo [22 x 15 cm]; xvi, 335 pp, frontis, 30 colored plates, from photos and paintings by R. A. Vowles and G. J. M. Timmerman, hundreds of illustrations from photos, colored endpaper maps, original cloth, gilt spine title lettering, internally near fine and clean in very good+ covers.

A detailed and very well-illustrated work on all aspects of raising tropical fish in aquariums, including plants, diseases, etc..

US$2. bookID # 13630


BUTLER, Henry D.; The Family Aquarium; or Aqua Vivarium. A New Pleasure for the Domestic Circle Being a Familiar and Complete Instructor Upon the Subject of the Construction, Fitting-up, Stocking, & Maintenance of the Fluvial & Marine Aquaria, or "River and Ocean Gardens". New York, Dick & Fitzgerald, [858], First edition, 12mo 18.5 x 12 cm]; viii, [9]-121, [viii, ads for books] pp, hand-colored plate and tissue guard, other engraved illustrations, original blind-stamped pictorial cloth, gilt title lettering on cover in gilt border with gilt pictures of fish, slight edgewear, light foxing on most pages, old owner signature, very good.

One of the first books on aquariums in America, published soon after Gosse's ground-breaking British work of 1856. This copy has the colored plate of a Victorian aquarium, which many copies lack. 'The aquarium has become, within a short period, almost a necessary luxury in every well-appointed household, both in Europe and America'. [preface]. The author gathered much of his information at Barnum's American Museum, which had some of the first aquariums.

US$200. bookID # 13632


CARPENTER, Captain Alfred and Captain D. Wilson-Barker; Nature Notes for Ocean Voyagers. Being Personal Observations upon life in The Vasty Deep, and Fishes, Birds, and Beasts seen from a Ship's Deck; with popular chapters on Weather, Waves, and Legendary Lore. London, Charles Griffen & Company, 1915, First edition, 8vo [23 x 15.5 cm]; xvi, 181 pp, 139 illustrations including engraved frontis plate of H. M. S. Challenger at St. Paul's Rocks, folding map, many photos, glossary, index, original pictorial gilt cloth, gilt spine title lettering, light cover wear, interior is clean and near fine.

A well illustrated guide to ocean life, mammals including polar bears, seals, whales, etc, birds, fish, plants, corals, surface life, phosphorescence, old sea monsters, weather, waves, with a chapter on old sea customs and chanteys.

US$30. bookID # 12626


CARSON, Rachel L., introduction by Maitland A. Edey, illus with photos by Alfred Eisenstaedt; The Sea Around Us. New York, The Limited Editions Club, 1980, Limited edition of 2,000 copies of which this is #1009, signed by the photographer Eisenstaedt, 4to [26 x 18.5 cm]; xxix, 252, [i, limitation page] pp, fine colored full-page illustrations from photos, pictorial endpapers, original blind-stamped cloth, gilt spine title lettering, fine and clean in original slipcase with title on paper label (label creased).

The author of Silent Spring, and the premier ecologist of her time, won the National Book Award in 1952 for this book. 'Sheer pleasure to read. . . a perfect combination of the fascinating science and the eternal beauty of the sea' [Thor Heyerdahl]. This copy has the publisher's monthly letter that describes the publication of this work and gives bibliographical details on the author as well as another blurb from the Limited Editions Club. This work is finely produced and well-bound.

US$60. bookID # 10996


CHUTE, Walter H.; Guide to the John G. Shedd Aquarium. [Chicago], Shedd Aquarium Society, [1933], First edition, 12mo [21.5 x 14 cm]; 220 pp, frontispiece, numerous illustrations and color plates (some from paintings), index, original pictorial wraps with mounted colored plate, title lettering, slightly rubbed at spine end, name on endpaper, else near fine.

The original edition for this famous aquarium. The photos are by the author and Loren Tutell, the colored plates by Norman Erickson

US$3. bookID # 13670


COUSTEAU, Jacques-Yves and Philippe Diole; Life and Death in a Coral Sea. New York, Doubleday & Company, 1971, First American edition, 4to [26 x 19 cm]; 302 pp; 122 color illus, 20 bw illustrations from photos, 20 line drwgs, glossary, appendices, index, original cloth, spine title lettering, dj (price clipped), small tape mark on endpaper, else near fine and clean.

Explores the coral areas of the Indian Ocean ad the Red Sea, giving considerable detail.

US$1. bookID # 9654


CRUMP, Donald (editor); The Emerald Realm; Earth's Precious Rain Forests. Washington, National Geographic Society, [1990], , large 8vo [26 x 18 cm]; 199 pp, hundreds of color photos, some full page, index, original cloth, dj, fine and clean.

Various authors including Peter Raven of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Cyunthia Ramsay, Jennifer Urquhart, Tome Melbam, Ron Fisher contributed articles with excellent illustrations on this ode to the rain forests.

US$1. bookID # 7639


CURLE, Richard; The Ray Society; A Bibliographical History. London, Bernard Quaritch Ltd, 1954, First edition, 12mo [22 x 14.5 cm]; vi, 101 pp, photo frontispiece, original cloth, gilt title lettering on spine and cover, clean and unmarked, fine copy, includes a four page 'Report of the Council of the Ray society for 1958-59', inserted loose.

The author gives a detailed history of the Ray Society, one of the most important natural history organizations of the time, together with an annotated bibliography of the society with full details including collations, plate lists, number printed, etc, arranged by subject. At the end is a listing of every publication of the society by year published beginning in 1844.

US$6. bookID # 13883


EDWARDS, Arthur M.; Life Beneath the Waters; or, the Aquarium in America. New York, H. Bailliere, 1858, First edition, 12mo [19.5 x 13.5 cm]; xii, [13]- 168, [169]-170 pp, 10 plates, frontis, other illustrations from woodcuts, index, original blind-stamped and pictorial cloth, gilt title lettering on cover and spine, spine bit faded, spine ends frayed, front blank endpaper removed, light blind-stamps on plate margins, good sound copy.

One of the first books on aquariums published in the US. The illustrations show early or Victorian aquariums and as suitable plants, fish, animals. The book covers both fresh-water and marine aquariums. The ads at the back describe relevant books.

US$200. bookID # 13652


ELLIS, John; An Essay towards a Natural History of the Corallines and other Marine Productions found on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland [with] The Natural History of many Curious & Uncommon Zoophytes, collected from various parts of the globe. London, printed for the author [&] Benjamin White and Son, 1755, 1786, First editions of each work, 4to [27 x 21 cm]; 2 volumes, xvii, [x], 103 [i]; xii, 206 pp, 40 engraved plates, some folding, in volume I including frontis & plate of Cuff's aquatic microscope, 63 engraved plates in volume II (only 62 called for), some of the plates in vol I by Ehret, contemporary full calf, gilt decorated, gilt title lettering on leather spine labels, joints cracked but firm, few leaves in volume II with light stain, scattered minor spotting, good plate impressions, endpaper bookplate of Edward Henry Scott, very good.

The two volumes are in matching bindings with volume 1 and 2 on spine although issued separately, each complete. The second volume was edited by Daniel Solander after Ellis had died. The first volume also has the description of a large Marine Polye taken near the north pole by the whale fishers in the summer of 1753. For the first volume see Freeman 1131: 'plate 38 absent in many, plate 39 in most copies'. Both are present here, plate 39 being the microscope plate, being the earliest depiction of Cuff's aquatic microscope (see Clay & Court, History of the Microscope, p66-68). 'In 1754 he became a fellow of the Royal Society, and in the following year established his reputation as one of the most acute observers of his time by the publication of An Essay Towards a Natural History of the Corallines. . . . imperfectly comprehended by Linnaeus, he established the animal nature of this group of organisms'. Linnaeus described him as a 'bright star of natural history', and 'the main support of natural history in England'. Nissen 1281, 590. British Museum Cat. 523. Knight, Natural Science Books in English: 'Ellis's handsome volumes on corals and zoophytes'. Knight, Zoological Illustration p. 103: 'the classic work was done by John Ellis in his Essay towards a natural history of the Corallines, of 1755. . . he persuaded Ehret, the great botanical artist, to accompany him, there to draw from nature. . . The book duly contains delicate

US$1100. bookID # 11748


ELLIS, John; An Essay towards a Natural History of the Corallines and other Marine Productions found on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland; to which is added The Description of a Large Marine Polype taken near the North Pole by Whale-fishers in 1753. London, printed for the author, 1755, First edition, 4to [27 x 21 cm]; xvii, [x], 103 [i]; pp, 40 engraved plates, some folding, including frontis & plate of Cuff's aquatic microscope, some of the plates are by Ehret, renowned botanical artist, contemporary full calf, gilt decorated spine, gilt title lettering on leather spine label, joints cracked and worn but holding, edgewear, small armorial bookplate on endpaper, light foxing, interior is clean and very good, no tears.

Freeman 1131: 'plate 38 absent in many, plate 39 in most copies'. Both are present here, plate 39 being the microscope plate, being the earliest depiction of Cuff's aquatic microscope (see Clay & Court, History of the Microscope, p66-68). 'In 1754 he became a fellow of the Royal Society, and in the following year established his reputation as one of the most acute observers of his time by the publication of An Essay Towards a Natural History of the Corallines. . . . imperfectly comprehended by Linnaeus, he established the animal nature of this group of organisms'. Linnaeus described him as a 'bright star of natural history', and 'the main support of natural history in England'. Nissen 590. British Museum Cat. 523. Knight, Natural Science Books in English: 'Ellis's handsome volume on corals and zoophytes'. Knight, Zoological Illustration p. 103: 'the classic work was done by John Ellis in his Essay towards a natural history of the Corallines, of 1755. . . he persuaded Ehret, the great botanical artist, to accompany him, there to draw from nature. . . The book duly contains delicate engravings from these drawings'.

US$750. bookID # 13303


GOSSE, Philip Henry; Tenby: A Sea-Side Holiday. London, John Van Voorst, 1856, First edition, 8vo [20 x 13 cm]; xviii, 400, [i], i], 8, [iv],16 [ads, some of author's other books] pp, 24 lithographed plates including 20 colored, frontis, original blind stamped cloth, gilt spine title lettering, spine lightly faded but lettering clear, endpaper signature, minor foxing on a few leaves, else a fine clean copy.

Gosse was the most important marine biologist of the nineteenth century, the father of sea-side studies and of the aquarium, and a true field naturalist. Some of the ads at the rear of the book are 'Practical Instructions of Tank Management and a list of descriptions, illustrations and prices of whatever relates to Aquaria' in keeping with the aquarium craze at the time which was in a large part encouraged by Gosse's book on aquariums and his others on marine biology. This book is based on a family holiday on the Welsh side of the Bristol Channel in 1854. Freeman & Wertheimer 67. Superb illustrations, many on microscopic life.

US$160. bookID # 12338


GOSSE, Philip Henry; The Aquarium; an Unveiling of the Wonders of the Deep Sea. London, John Van Voorst, 1854, First edition, 12mo [19 x 13 cm]; xiv, 278 pp, 6 fine mounted color lithographs (chromolithographs) from the author's painting including frontis, with tissue guards, 6 other plates (lignigraphs), index, original blind-stamped cloth with gilt title lettering on spine, edges rubbed, internal hinge lightly cracked but firm, all edges gilted, very good overall, interior is clean, unmarked and fine.

This is the first book devoted to the aquarium, and the marine biologist author's most popular work, published near the beginning of the craze where persons would collect specimens from the seashore and add them to their home aquariums, in the days before pet stores. It was Gosse who coined the name 'aquarium' after considering previous names such as vivarium and aqua-vivarium. Freeman 60: 'Gosse's second study of the sea-shore is full of infectious enthusiasm. It is as much about observations of marine animals in the wild, particularly those at the bottom of the tide and below, as it is about the servicing of a marine aquarium and was an important influence behind the mid-Victorian craze for keeping aquariums.' Barber (Heyday of Natural History) 117: 'The first and best was appropriately provided by Gosse in The Aquarium of 1854. . . it was the most successful of Gosse's books'. One of the plates show a Victorian fountain aquarium.

US$200. bookID # 13686


GOSSE, Philip Henry; The Aquarium; an Unveiling of the Wonders of the Deep Sea. London, John Van Voorst, 1856, Second and best edition, 12mo [19 x 13 cm]; xiv, 304, [vi, ads] pp, 6 fine mounted color lithographs (chromolithographs) from the author's paintings including frontis, 8 other plates (lignigraphs), index, original blind-stamped cloth, gilt spine title lettering, all edges gilted, spine faded, minor foxing on a few leaves, clean near fine interior in a very good cover.

This is the first book devoted to the aquarium, and the marine biologist author's most popular work, published near the beginning of the craze where persons would collect specimens from the seashore and add them to their home aquariums, in the days before pet stores. It was Gosse who coined the name 'aquarium' after considering previous names such as vivarium and aqua-vivarium. Freeman 60: 'Gosse's second study of the sea-shore is full of infectious enthusiasm. It is as much about observations of marine animals in the wild, particularly those at the bottom of the tide and below, as it is about the servicing of a marine aquarium and was an important influence behind the mid-Victorian craze for keeping aquariums.' Barber (Heyday of Natural History) 117: 'The first and best was appropriately provided by Gosse in The Aquarium of 1854. . . it was the most successful of Gosse's books'. This second edition has additional plates and text that were not in the first edition of 1854, but includes all the superb original plates. Some of the text, especially the directions section has been re-written, other parts brought up-to-date and augmented.

US$260. bookID # 9894


GOSSE, Philip Henry; The Aquarium; an Unveiling of the Wonders of the Deep Sea. London, John Van Voorst, 1856, Second and best edition, 12mo [19 x 13 cm]; xiv, 304, [vi, ads] pp, 6 fine mounted color lithographs (chromolithographs) from the author's paintings including frontis, with tissue guards, 8 other plates (lignigraphs), index, original blind-stamped cloth, gilt spine title lettering, all edges gilted, name on endpaper, slight foxing on two pages, but a near fine, clean copy.

This is the first book devoted to the aquarium, and the marine biologist author's most popular work, published near the beginning of the craze where persons would collect specimens from the seashore and add them to their home aquariums, in the days before pet stores. It was Gosse who coined the name 'aquarium' after considering previous names such as vivarium and aqua-vivarium. Freeman 60: 'Gosse's second study of the sea-shore is full of infectious enthusiasm. It is as much about observations of marine animals in the wild, particularly those at the bottom of the tide and below, as it is about the servicing of a marine aquarium and was an important influence behind the mid-Victorian craze for keeping aquariums.' Barber (Heyday of Natural History) 117: 'The first and best was appropriately provided by Gosse in The Aquarium of 1854. . . it was the most successful of Gosse's books'. This second edition has the original colored plates and also additional plates and text that were not in the first edition of 1854. Some of the text has been re-written, other parts brought up-to-date and augmented.

US$250. bookID # 13687


HIBBERD, Shirley; The Book of the Aquarium [with] The Book of the Marine Aquarium; or Practical Instructions on the Formation, Stocking, and Management in all Seasons, of Collections of Marine and River Animals and Plants. London, Groombridge and Sons, 1869, a new edition, revised and enlarged, 12mo [17 x 11 cm]; 2 volumes bound in one, vi, [i] 134; iv, [i], 128, [viii, ads] pp, frontis in each volume, numerous other wood-engraved illustrations including full-page, original cloth with title lettering on spine and cover, spine faded and a bit rubbed at edges, but lettering clear, light wear, else a very good copy, interior clean and unmarked.

Freeman 1662 and 1663. The two books, two of the earliest books published on aquariums, were originally issued in 1856 with only 48 and 50 pages respectively and is here issued bound in one volume with each volume greatly expanded. Hibberd was a major writer on gardening and nature topics of the period. The illustrations included several of Victorian aquariums, including the frontis.

US$200. bookID # 13629


HUMPHREYS, H. Noel; River Gardens; Being An Account of the Best Methods of Cultivating Fresh-Water Plants in Aquaria, in such a Manner as to Afford Suitable Abodes to Ornamental Fish and Many Interesting Kinds of Aquatic Animals. London, Sampson Low, Son and Co., 1857, First edition, first issue, 12mo [19 x 14 cm]; vii, 108, [iv, ads] pp, 8 fine hand-colored plates including frontis (complete), each with tissue guards, other illus, original blind-stamped cloth with gilt picture of water lily and title lettering on front cover, spine a little rubbed, tissue guard for frontis removed, otherwise a very good copy, interior is clean & fine with only slight foxing on few leaves.

Freeman 1834. Published near the start of the aquarium hobby, a little after Gosse published the first aquarium book in 1854, those interested would find their specimens at nearby ponds and rivers rather than from a store. The attractive illustrations include a glass circular aquarium, water lilies, aquatic plants, fish, sticklebacks and their nests, goldfish, snails and valisneria, aquatic reptiles, plants with frog, crayfish, water spider, etc.

US$200. bookID # 13069


HUMPHREYS, H. Noel; The Butterfly Vivarium; or Insect Home, being an account of a new Method of Observing the Curious Metamorphoses of Some of the Most Beautiful of Native Insects, also a Popular Description of the Habits & Instincts of Many Insects. . .With Suggestions for. London, William Lay, 1858, First edition, 12mo [19 x 13.5 cm]; xii, 288, [iii, ads including one for author's earlier book] pp, 8 fine hand colored engraved plates including frontis, engraved headpieces for each chapter, with the half title page, endpaper ads, original cloth, gilt title lettering on spine and on cover in decorative gilt border, all edges gilted, cover rubbed, rebacked preserving original spine & endpapers, interior clean and near fine in very good cover, solid and tight binding.

Freeman 1836. An attractively produced book by author of other high-class natural history books, one being an early work on aquariums done at the beginning of the aquarium craze in Victorian England. The work translates the aquarium, a habitat for fish and other marine animals, to one of insects where the enthusiastic nature lover could collect various insects and watch them grow and reproduce in the comfort of their own home. The plates, including many of butterflies, beetles, etc, are beautifully done, the frontis being one of the vivarium itself, an ornate Victorian aquarium with plants, water, butterflies, etc, that could have been found in a typical parlor of the time.

US$380. bookID # 13068


HUMPHREYS, H. Noel; The Butterfly Vivarium; or Insect Home, being an account of a new Method of Observing the Curious Metamorphoses of Some of the Most Beautiful of Native Insects, also a Popular Description of the Habits & Instincts of Many Insects. . .With Suggestions for. London, William Lay, 1858, First edition, 12mo [19 x 13.5 cm]; xii, 288, [iii, ads including one for author's earlier book] pp, 8 fine hand colored engraved plates including frontis, engraved headpieces for each chapter, with the half title page, original cloth, gilt title lettering on spine and on cover in decorative gilt border, all edges gilted, cover rubbed and expertly re-set in binding, interior clean and near fine in very good cover, sound and tight binding.

Freeman 1836. An attractively produced book by author of other high-class natural history books, one being an early work on aquariums done at the beginning of the aquarium craze in Victorian England. The work translates the aquarium, a habitat for fish and other marine animals, to one of insects where the enthusiastic nature lover could collect various insects and watch them grow and reproduce in the comfort of their own home. The plates, including many of butterflies, beetles, etc, are beautifully done, the frontis being one of the vivarium itself, an ornate sort of aquarium with plants, water, butterflies, etc that could have been found in a typical parlor of the time.

US$390. bookID # 12275


INNES, William T.; Exotic Aquarium Fishes; a Work of General Reference. Philadelphia, Innes Publishing Co., [1953], fifteenth edition, 8vo; 523, [i], illustrations including color, tipped-in color frontis, map endpapers, original pictorialcloth & paper label, fine.

US$5. bookID # 362


INNES, William T.; Exotic Aquarium Fishes; a Work of General Reference. Philadelphia, Innes Publishing Co., [1954], seventeenth edition, 8vo [23.5 x 16 cm]; 533, [i, ads], hundreds of illustrations including color, tipped-in color frontis, map endpapers, original pictorial cloth & paper label, gilt picture of fishes on cover, edge slightly rubbed, name on endpaper, but clean, solid, near fine copy.

The classic reference work on the subject by the pioneer who greatly influenced the tropical fish hobby.

US$9. bookID # 13707


INNES, William T.; Goldfish Varieties and Water Gardens. Philadelphia, Innes Publishing Company, [1947], First edition [so stated], 8vo [23 x 16 cm]; 381, [i, ad] pp, mounted color plate frontis with tissue guard and letterpress, hundreds of color & black & white illustrations and plates, photos, + hundreds of drawings, original pictorial gilt cloth with gilt goldfish on cover, title lettering on original spine label, pictorial endpapers, fine & clean copy in good dust jacket (spine bit chipped and stained), with extra loose copy of front dj panel, gilt cover is bright.

A very well-illustrated work in three main sections: fish, equipment, water gardens and plants. A fine copy of the first edition in the scarce dust jacket.

US$55. bookID # 13684


KENK, Roman; The Fresh-Water Triclads of Michigan. Chicago, Field Columbian Museum, 1944, First edition, 8vo [24 x 16 cm]; 44 pp, 7 plates from photos, other illus, bibliog, original printed heavy paper wraps, library withdrawal stamp on corner of cover, clean, very good copy.

Covering the Planariide and Dendrocoelidae, with a chapter on ecology and distribution and a key to the fresh water triclads. This is the first work on the subject. An offprint from the Miscellaneous series.

US$2. bookID # 9634


KINGSLEY, Charles; Glaucus; or the Wonders of the Shore. Cambridge, Macmillan and Co, 1859, Fourth edition, early editions had no color plates, 12mo 17 x 12 cm]; [viii], 230, 16 (ads, dated 1859) pp, 12 fine col plates at end (each with guard leaf), includes the half title page, original pictorial gilt cloth, spine with elaborate gilt decorations and title lettering, light wear at spine edges, all edges gilted, clean, unmarked, very good+ condition.

Freeman 2094. BMNH catalogue p 982. There were many later editions by this author of 'Westward Ho'. The first few editions had no color plates, which are the most interesting feature of the book, being mainly underwater scenes of marine creatures.

US$90. bookID # 13688


LANDSBOROUGH, D. [David]; A Popular History of British Zoophytes, or Corallines. London, Reeve and Co., 1852, First edition, only edition, 12mo [17 x 13 cm]; xii, 404 pp, 20 hand-colored lithographed plates, each with several figures, frontis, index, original pictorial and blind-stamped cloth, gilt title lettering on spine with gilt decorations, upper joints with short tear, minor shelf wear, light pencil notes in two lower margins, else clean and unmarked, near fine.

Freeman 2152. The plates are from paintings by Achilles. Popular Natural History Series.

US$90. bookID # 12719


MCCORMICK, Harold W., Tom Allen, Captain William E. Young; Shadows in the Sea; The Sharks, Skates and Rays. New York, Weathervane Books, [1963], , 8vo [23 x 16 cm]; xii, [ii], 415 pp, numerous illustrations from photos and drwgs, tables, bibliog, index, original cloth, gilt lettering on spine, dj (large chip on rear panel), else near fine in good dj.

A detailed work, including history, biology and recipes.

US$3. bookID # 4469


NACHSTEDT, Julius and Hans Tushe; Breeding Aquarium Fishes: Practical Hints on the Care and Propagation of Popular Aquarium Fishes. New York, Aquarium Stock Co., [1954], First edition in English, translated from German first edition, 8vo [21 x 14 cm]; 127, [i] pp, numerous illustrations from photos, also drawings, original cloth, gilt title lettering on spine and cover, near fine and clean in good dj (tears, chipped at edge, lightly foxed).

A well-illustrated book covering all the main types of topical fish, for breeding and raising, includes temperature and light requirements, water chemistry, feeding, handling, type of tank, etc, based on the thirty year experience of two German experts.

US$3. bookID # 12818


RACHOW, Arthur; Tropical Aquariafish Catalogue. Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany, Aquarienfish Im. & Export Co., 1927, First edition, 12mo [19 x 13 cm]; viii, 152 pp, 113 plates including 17 in color from paintings, others from photos, includes 6 pages of ads with illustrations, index, glossary, erratum, addenda, original cloth-backed pictorial boards with title lettering on cover, spine frayed with small stain, cover used and rubbed, interior is clean but some page rippling, good used copy.

The author, often quoted as an expert especially on cichlids and others, describes characins, carps including gneus barbus, cobitidae, tooth-carps, labrinthfishes, cichlids, nandids, cat-fishes, etc. Well-illustrated with detailed descriptions of species in English, although published in Germany.

US$110. bookID # 13454


REEVE, Henry Fenwick; The Gambia; Its History, Ancient, Medieval and Modern together with its Geographical, Geological and Ethnographical Conditions and a Description of the Birds, Beasts and Fishes found therein. London, Smith, Elder & Co., 1912, First edition, 8vo [24 x 16 cm]; xv, 288 pp, frontis (portrait), numerous illustrations from photos, 3 maps including foldout and large folding at end, bibliog, index, with the errata slip, original pictorial gilt cloth with gilt title lettering on front cover and spine, outer edges slightly rubbed, some minor foxing, else near fine, signed by the author 'with the author's complements', 1916, on half title page.

Conover 558. Work 15. Well-written and nicely illustrated, covering all aspects of this western African country, with much on nature, the peoples, etc. An obituary from a 1920 newspaper is tipped-in on endpaper.

US$200. bookID # 8064


ROGERS, Julia Ellen; The Shell Book; a Popular Guide to a Knowledge of the Families of Living Mollusks, and an aid to the Identification of Shells Native and Foreign. New York, Doubleday, Page & Company, 1908, First edition, 4to [26 x 19 cm]; xxi, 485 pp, 8 color plates, colored frontis with tissue guards, 96 other plates, mostly from photos by A. R. Dugmore, each with several illus, index, original cloth, pictorial gilt shell on spine, gilt lettering on spine and cover, signature on endpaper, light rubbing on outer edges, light dampstain on outer corner of some leaves, else very good, clean and sound copy.

A very well illustrated and detailed description of each species by renowned expert and naturalist.

US$15. bookID # 11078


SAWYER, Robert V. and Edwin H. Perkins; Water Gardens and Goldfish. New York, A. T. De La Mare Company, 1928, First Edition, 12mo [19 x 13 cm]; 112 pp, frontis plate, numerous illustrations, plans, index, original cloth, title lettering on spine and cover, spine bit faded but silver lettering clear, interior is clean and near fine, unmarked.

A very well-illustrated work with examples taken from across the United States and filled with ideas useful for the designing, building and maintaining a water garden, with much on the plants that will thrive there. Perkins wrote the chapters on goldfish.

US$12. bookID # 13675


SCORESBY, William, Junior; Journal of a Voyage to the Northern Whale-Fishery; Including Researches and Discoveries on the Eastern Coast of West Greenland Made in the Summer of 1822 in the Ship Baffin of Liverpool. Edinburgh, Archibald Constable and Co., 1823, First edition, 8vo [22 x 14 cm]; xlii, 472 pp, 8 plates and maps including the two folding engraved maps (one with old repair on verso), the plan of a deserted hamlet on Jameson's Land, 2 large folding panoramas, view plates, tables, later morocco-backed marbled boards, gilt spine title lettering, spine a little faded but lettering clear, some minor foxing on few leaves, near fine, tight and sound.

Sabin 78171. Arctic Bibliog 15614. Hill p. 566: "an account of his voyage. . . whaling and exploration of the Scoresby Sound region in search for Eskimo settlements and for magnetic and other observations, including descriptions of ice conditions, physical features, ocean currents, ruins of Eskimo dwellings. . . . [his] discoveries were greater in importance and number than those of any other single navigator in northern waters." The appendices include list of plants by W. J. Hooker and extracts of two other whalers of 1822, lists of rocks and minerals and of animals found on the coast of Greenland.

US$780. bookID # 12517


SHACKELFORD, Shelby; Electric Eel Calling; A Record of an Artist's Association with a Scientific Expedition to Study the Electric Eel at Santa Maria de Belem do Para, Brazil. New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1941, First edition, first printing with the 'A', 8vo [23.5 x 16 cm]; xi, 258 pp, numerous illustrations from wood blocks of the author, original cloth, spine title lettering, dj (not price clipped, very slightly rubbed at edge), small bookplate of Irving Skeels on endpaper, near fine, clean throughout.

The author describes the more human aspects of this scientific expedition, showing Brazilian life and landscape, the peoples, nature, living conditions, etc, with a vivid travel journal and a melding of science and art, in search of the electrophorus electricus eel.

US$32. bookID # 12084


SMITH, Anthony; A Persian Quarter Century. London, Hodder and Stoughton, [1979], First edition, 8vo [22 x 14.5 cm]; 192 pp, illustrations from photos, cross-section of Qanat, map endpapers, index, original cloth, dj (price clipped, edge lightly worn), near fine clean copy.

The author, who wrote the celebrated Blind White Fish in Persia with a species named after him, returned to Persia after 25 years to describe the changes to the villages and villagers, and to explore for other fish.

US$6. bookID # 8261


SMITH, Hugh M.; Japanese Goldfish; Their Varieties and Cultivation; a Practical Guide to the Japanese Methods of Goldfish Culture for Amateurs and Professionals. Washington, W. F. Roberts Company, 1909, First edition, oblong 4to [19 x 25 cm]; 112 pp, frontis, 10 fine colored plates from paintings by J. Urata, copyright by S. Matsubara, numerous other illustrations, including full-page, mostly from photos, bibliog, index, original pictorial gilt cloth, with gilt goldfish picture and title lettering on cover, name on endpaper, hinges cracked but firm, slightly foxed on title, but very good clean copy.

An important work by the US deputy commissioner of fisheries and recognized expert, with excellent illustrations of both fish varieties and methods of caring and breeding.

US$120. bookID # 13700


SOWERBY, George B. [Brettingham]; The Aquarium; A Popular Account of Marine and Fresh-water Animals and Plants. London, Routledge, Warne and Routledge, 1865, , square 12mo [16 x 13.5 cm]; xvi, 327 pp, 20 hand colored plates (complete), with frontis [hand colored], original pictorial gilt cloth with gilt picture of turtle on front cover, gilt title lettering & decoration on spine, all edges gilted, slight wear on corners, gilt bright, a fine, clean and bright copy.

British Museum Nat Hist Catalogue 1981. Freeman 3496. The author was an important marine biologist of his day. This work, one of the first works on aquariums published, is indicative of the fashion of the day to collect natural history objects and display them in one's home. In this case ecologies were established using various live sea creatures, both plants and animals, usually collected personally at the sea shore. The author, a noted conchologist and zoologist, describes the construction and maintenance of the aquarium and the type of creatures to collect. This is the first edition with this title.

US$190. bookID # 13495


SOWERBY, George Brettingham; Popular History of the Aquarium of Marine and Fresh-water Animals and Plants. London, Lovell Reeve, 1857, First Edition, first issue, square 12mo [17 x 14 cm]; xvi, 327, [viii, publisher's ads] pp, 20 hand colored plates (complete), with frontispiece (hand colored), original pictorial gilt cloth with gilt picture of turtle on front cover, gilt lettering and decoration on spine, light wear on edges, gilt bright, 2 leaves with tear in margin, very good+, interior clean & unmarked.

British Museum Natural History Catalogue 1981. Freeman 3496. The author was an important marine biologist of his day. This work, published just three years after the first book devoted to the newly invented aquarium was published by Gosse, is indicative of the fashion of the day to collect natural history objects and display them in one's home. In this case ecologies were established using various live sea creatures, both plants and animals, usually collected personally at the sea shore. The author, a noted conchologist and zoologist, describes the construction and maintenance of the aquarium and the type of creatures to collect.

US$240. bookID # 10312


SOWERBY, George Brettingham; Popular History of the Aquarium of Marine and Fresh-water Animals and Plants. London, Lovell Reeve, 1857, First Edition, first issue, square 12mo [17 x 14 cm]; xvi, 327, [x, publisher's ads] pp, 20 hand colored plates (complete), with frontispiece (hand colored), original pictorial gilt cloth with gilt picture of turtle on front cover, gilt lettering and decoration on spine, light wear on edges, bit rubbed, very good, interior clean.

British Museum Natural History Catalogue 1981. Freeman 3496. The author was an important marine biologist of his day. This work, published just three years after the first book devoted to the newly invented aquarium was published by Gosse, is indicative of the fashion of the day to collect natural history objects and display them in one's home. In this case ecologies were established using various live sea creatures, both plants and animals, usually collected personally at the sea shore. The author, a noted conchologist and zoologist, describes the construction and maintenance of the aquarium and the type of creatures to collect.

US$190. bookID # 13680


SOWERBY, George Brettinham; Popular British Conchology; a Familiar History of the Molluscs Inhabiting the British Isles. London, Lovell Reeve, 1854, First edition, 12mo [17 x 13 cm]; 24 [publisher's ads including many for this series], xii, 304, [ii, ads] pp, 20 hand colored plates, index, original pictorial and blind-stamped pictorial cloth, gilt title lettering on spine with gilt decorations, spine ends frayed, lightly foxed on few leaves, very good+, clean and unmarked.

Freeman 3494. Nissen 3912. The attractive and detailed plates are by the author. Popular Natural History Series

US$180. bookID # 12721


TAYLOR, J. E.; The Aquarium; Its Inhabitants, Structure, and Management. London, Hardwicke & Bogue, 1876, First edition, 8vo [19 x 12.5 cm]; xv, 316, [iv, ads] pp, 239 illustrations including full-page, index, original pictorial gilt cloth, with gilt picture of aquarium and fishes, gilt lettering, all edges gilted, covers rubbed, old bookseller's blindstamp on endpaper, very good, interior is clean and unmarked.

Freeman 3658. The author describes the history of the aquarium in detail, fresh-water and marine aquariums, their construction and use, the inhabitants of the aquariums including fish, reptiles, plants, insects, zoophytes, etc, the aquarium as a nursery for the microscope. Very well-illustrated. The illustrated ads at the rear are for the author's other books. At the time, this was the ultimate aquaria book, at the peak of the aquarium hobby in the nineteenth century.

US$125. bookID # 13658


TENNENT, Sir J. Emerson; Sketches of the Natural History of Ceylon with Narratives and Anecdotes Illustrative of the Habits and Instincts of the Mammalia, Birds, Reptiles, Fishes, Insects, &c. including a Monograph of the Elephant. London, Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1861, First edition, 8vo [20 x 13 cm]; xiii, [i], [errata leaf], 500, 24 [ads] pp, 10 plates including frontis, numerous other engraved illus, index, original pictorial gilt green cloth, gilt lettering and decoration on spine, little rubbed at edges, complete, very slight foxing on a few leaves, but clean and very good copy.

Catalogue of the British Museum Natural History p. 2084. Casey Wood 594. This is a major expansion of the author's earlier general work on Ceylon, covering all animals, birds, etc, with some emphasis on the elephant. There are two lists of birds, one of the birds of Ceylon, and the other of those peculiar to Ceylon, as well as lists of insects species, shells, leeches, etc. This copy has the additional errata sheet not found in all copies, after the first errata sheet.

US$200. bookID # 11780


TUGWELL, Rev. George; A Manual of the Sea-Anemones Commonly Found on the English Coast. London, John Van Voorst, 1856, First Edition, small 8vo [19.5 x 13 cm]; [viii], 123, [i, errata] pp, 6 colored lithographed plates (chromolithographs), including the folding color frontis, one plain lithographed plate, tables, original blind-stamped, gilt lettering on spine, light wear to spine ends, a clean, unmarked, unstained copy, fine overall.

Freeman 3755. Notable for its very attractive color plates. The book was issued at the peak of the interest in England of the sea shore and its creatures and in preserving them in an aquarium.

US$140. bookID # 12625


WALKER, Braz; Enjoy Keeping Native Fishes. New York, The Pet Library, [1971], , 12mo [20 x 14 cm]; 32 pp, numerous colored illustrations from photos, original pictorial heavy paper wraps, very good+, clean and unmarked.

Rather than tropical fishes, this work describes the collecting, maintenance of native aquarium, diseases, spawning, suitability, etc, of collecting native American fishes found in streams and lakes.

US$2. bookID # 12819


WHITERN, W. L.; Beautiful Goldfish. Jersey City, T. F. H. Publications, [1962], First edition, 8vo [21.5 x 14 cm]; 32 pp, many colored and black and white illustrations from photos including full-page, publisher's ads on rear cover, original pictorial heavy paper wraps with title on cover, cover slightly rubbed but very good, interior is clean, fine and unmarked.

Nicely illustrated, a good introduction to all aspects of raising, breeding goldfish in aquariums and pools.

US$5. bookID # 13685


WOOD, Casey A.; Introduction to the Literature of Vertebrate Zoology. Hildesheim; New York, Georg Olms Verlag, 1974, exact reprint of 1931 first edition published in London by Oxford University Press, 8vo [[23 x 16 cm]; xix, 643 pp, frontis, indexes to authors, titles, original brown cloth, gilt title lettering on spine and cover, joints with some wear, spine lightly faded but lettering clear, interior is clean, fine and unmarked.

Preceded by a detailed 148 page introduction, the book describes thousands of the most important books and other works on the subject, including books on birds, fish, etc, with descriptions giving date, collations and most with descriptions of the importance and significance of the work. A standard reference. Included is an article, inserted loose, on the Collecting the Firs Peterson Bird Guides by Cassie.

US$15. bookID # 13867


WOOD, Rev. J. G.; The Fresh and Salt-Water Aquarium. London, George Routledge and Sons, 1868, First Edition, 12mo [16.5 x 11 cm]; viii, 182, [ii, ads] pp, 11 color plates (chromolithographs) including frontis as called for, including frontis, numerous text illustrations, original pictorial decorated gilt cloth, gilt spine title lettering, lightly rubbed at edges, spine ends bit worn, small bookseller label on endpaper, else near fine and clean, Victorian cover bright.

Freeman 4100. Published near the start of the aquarium hobby, those interested would find their specimens at the seashore rather than from a store (pet stores didn't exist at that time). The author provided detailed instructions on how to stock and maintain an aquarium and its inhabitants, which would include fish, mollusks, plants, beetles, reptiles, etc.

US$180. bookID # 13679


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