GOSSE, Philip Henry.

Letters from Alabama, (U.S.) Chiefly Relating to Natural History.

Item #82122

GOSSE, Philip Henry. Letters from Alabama, (U.S.) Chiefly Relating to Natural History. London: Morgan and Chase, 1859. 1st ed. 16mo. xii, 306, [2 (advts.)] pp., illus. In orig. cloth. Small loss to the cloth at the head of the backstrip just touching the top line of the gilt title, otherwise only light wear, clean throughout. Very good or nearly. Howes G-268. Sabin 28062. Clark III, 169. Gosse (1810-1888) wrote on a number of topics related to natural history, including entomology and zoology. Among his works are Canadian Naturalist (1840), Manual of Marine Zoology (1855-56), and Tenby (1856). Though he journeyed to Alabama in 1838, this is the first publication of his account. He spent 9 months during that year in Dallas Conty, serving as a teacher for the sons of several planters in the area. Clarke writes, "While Gosse gives most pace to descriptions of flora and fauna, he treats a number of phases of life in the interior of Alabama. The book is especially rich in hunting stories. The chief merit of Letters from Alabama derives from the fact that Gosse lived for some months in a region that was seldom seen by travelers." Scarce. This copy from the library of Thomas Falconer with his armorial bookplate on the front pastedown. Falconer was an English jurist and explorer. Falconer authored several works based on his travels through Texas and the Southwest. An interesting provenance.

Price: $450.00