The first 30 volumes of this series of monographs designed to figure and describe British fossils, with beautiful lithographic plates depicting a wide range of fauna including molluscs, reptiles and mammals. The Society was founded in 1847 and is still extant today. The list of contributors to the series was distinguished and included Charles Darwin and Richard Owen, both of whom are represented in the volumes on offer here:

DARWIN, Charles (1809-1882). A Monograph on the Fossil Lepadidae, or, pedunculated Cirripedes of Great Britain. Vol. V, 1851. [With:] – A Monograph on the Fossil Balandidae and Verrucidae of Great Britain. Vol. VIII, 1854. Freeman 342 considers these two monographs as one work. The one-leaf index leaf to the second work was published later in Vol. XII, and is present in that volume in the present set.

Richard Owen's (1804-1892) works are very extensive, and run throughout the volumes, often with supplements. His works include: Monograph on the Fossil Reptilia of the London Clay; The Reptilia of the Cretaceous Formations; The Repitlia of the Wealden Formations; The Reptilia of the Liassic Formations; and the Reptilia of the Oolitic Formations. BM(NH) IV, 1501-2.

30 volumes bound in 31, quarto (approx. 280 x 218mm). Numerous lithographic plates, some folding (some variable dust-soiling and light browning). Publisher’s cloth-backed wrappers or boards, printed labels on upper covers and spines (extremities rubbed, a few volumes more heavily worn with spine labels missing or chipped). Provenance: Gustave Minion (1872-1936; curator of the Natural History Museum of Mons, Belgium). Sold as a periodical, not subject to return, and without reserve.

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