Illustrations of Indian Zoology: Chiefly Selected from the Collection of Major-General Hardwicke, F. R. S. Gray, John Edward Natural History

London: Treuttel, Wurtz, Treuttel, jun. and Richter, 1830-1832. Also by Parbury, Allen and Co. Vol 1 of 2. Folio (18 1/4" x 13", 465mm x 330mm). With 160 plates. Bound in brown buckram with title gilt to front board. On the smooth spine, title and author gilt to brown morocco lettering piece. Green endpapers. Extremities rubbed. Label on spine and boards scuffed. Light tanning. Bookplate of the Oriental Club to front pastedown. Major-General Thomas Hardwicke (1756-1835) was a British soldier and naturalist, stationed in India from 1777 to 1823. He collected many specimens of natural history and had them painted by Indian artists. During his military career in India, Hardwicke traveled extensively over the subcontinent. When he returned to England, he collaborated with the zoologist John Edward Gray to Publish "Illustrations of Indian Zoology"(1830-1835). John Edward Gray, F.R.S. (1800-1875) was a British zoologist He was the keeper of zoology at the British Museum in London from 1840-1874. He published several catalogues of the Museum's collections, including animal groups and descriptions of new species. Under his watch this collection became one of the best in the world. The illustrations were drawn by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (18076-1894). Most were drawn from life and others from dry specimens. He was a British sculptor and natural history artist, and a lecturer on zoological topics. He was also known for his designs of life-size dinosaurs in the Crystal Palace Park in south London.