[Robert Chambers]
London: John Churchill, 1846-1860.

Vestiges, published anonymously, had an enormous influence on Charles Darwin, first published in 1844 and here greatly enlarged. This edition (the second to be illustrated) was published just following the publication of Darwin’s Origin and is Chambers; final revision of the text. A twelfth edition, published in 1884 following Chambers’ death, reprints this text and acknowledges his authorship. // Chambers had planned to respond to criticisms of his work by publishing a series of letters to the ‘Times’ followed by a pamphlet of a hundred or so pages, however Churchill convinced the anonymous author (through his friend Alexander Ireland) that it should be issued in book form, printed and bound similarly to the original. Explanations was duly issued in 1845, and was followed by this slightly altered version in 1846. By then the fifth edition of ‘Vestiges’ was ready and the two works were often reviewed together, the publisher going so far as to suggest a combined volume, however his anonymous author pointed out that the arguments were already incorporated in the new edition.

Conrad Guenther
London: A. Owen & Co., 1906.

The First Edition in English translated from the Third Edition by Joseph McCabe.

Gregory M. Mathews
London: H. F. & G. Witherby, 1925.

Books used in the preparation of this work with a few biographical details of authors and collectors. The separately bound bibliography to Mathews 12 volume ornitholgoical handbook, one of the key monumental illustrated works of Australian natural history.

Queensland Littoral Society
Brisbane: Queensland Littoral Society, 1971.

Field manual of members of the Queensland Littoral Society for conducting wetland surveys. The QLS now known as the Australian Marine Conservation Society is one of the oldest conservation groups in Australia.

John William Lewin
Melbourne: Edition Renard, 2007.

One of 70 numbered copies (from a total edition of 212 copies) bound in an exact facsimile binding in the style of the later superior issue of the second edition, complete with plain interleaves and hand-marbled sides. A new edition of one of the earliest books about Australian natural history, reproducing the text and illustrations of the two earlier editions, together with historical, bibliographical, and publication notes by Julien Renard. The first two editions being bibliographical rarities and extremely difficult to obtain, Renard also provides a census table of known copies.

John William Lewin
Melbourne: Edition Renard, 2007.

One of 70 numbered copies (from a total edition of 212 copies) bound in the style of the first issue of the second edition of 1822. A new edition of one of the earliest books about Australian natural history, reproducing the text and illustrations of the two earlier editions, together with historical, bibliographical, and publication notes by Julien Renard. The first two editions being bibliographical rarities and extremely difficult to obtain, Renard also provides a census table of known copies.

James Edward Smith
Melbourne: Edition Renard, 2005.

One of 60 numbered Large Paper copies (from a total edition of 212, of which 200 were for sale). A fine enhanced edition from the original edition Printed by J. Davis, Published by J. Sowerby, London, 1793-95 and never before reprinted. In this Deluxe issue the text is entirely reset with judicious use of colour and the fine coloured plates are enlarged by 25%. The text is accompanied by extensive bibliographical notes.