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Description:
Knorr, Georg Wolfgang (1705-1761) Les Delices des Yeux et de l'Esprit, ou Collection Generale des Differentes Especes de Coquillages que la Mer Renferme. Nuremberg: Knorr, 1764-1773. Six quarto volumes bound as three, illustrated with six hand-colored engraved titles and an additional 195 full page hand-colored plates of shells, including five plates not usually found with this work by Moise Harris, London, c. 1767, depicting shells, sea stars, moths, and a large stag beetle; bound in full contemporary gold-tooled red morocco, rebacked; signed armorial bookplate of Dr. Charles Chauncy pasted inside the front board of the first volume, with his motto, "Sublimis per Ardua Tendo," and the bookplate of Thomas Gray of Glasgow beneath, and in subsequent volumes; with acquisition note on ffep recording this set's inclusion in William Thomas Beckford's (1760-1844) Hamilton Palace Library, sold by Sotheby's to Quaritch in 1882 as lot 1344; provenance note in the 1882 catalog indicates that this copy formerly belonged to Dr. John Coakley Lettsom (1744-1815),10 x 7 1/2 in. (3)
Estimate $7,000-9,000
I: A-F4, D2, 30 plates, 5 plates; II: A-G4, 30 plates; III: A-G4, 30 plates; IV: A-H4, I2, 30 plates; V: A-F4, a-c4, 30 plates; VI: A-I4, K2, 40 plates.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
Charles Chauncy, Thomas Gray, William Thomas Beckford, Georg Wolfgang, Glasgow, London, NurembergJohn Dorfman
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Fine Books & Manuscripts
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