NESBITT, Robert. Human Osteogeny Explained in Two Lectures, Read in the Anatomical Theatre of the Surgeons of London. July the First and Second, Anno 1731.
In which not only the beginning and gradual increase of the bones of the human fœtuses are described; but also the nature of ossification is considered, and the general notion, that all bones are formed from cartilages, be demonstrated to be a mistake.
Pub. LONDON: Printed by T. Wood and sold by W. Innys and R. Manby, J. Pemberton, E. Symon, J Noon, and C. Davis. M DCC XXXVI [1736].
'It was in this book that Nesbitt pointed out that bones may develop in membrane as well as cartilage. Although this was a discovery of the first importance it was completely ignored until the nineteenth century. His whole description of bone growth is outstanding and his book must be regarded as one of the classics of anatomy. See [Russell] 129 for the catalogue of the sale of Nesbitt's library in 1761 when the copyright to his Osteogeny was disposed of for £2.6s to Dr. Brisbane. This price included the plates and the original drawings. The illustrations were drawn and engraved by J. Mynde.' (Russell, British Anatomy 627).
Collation brief, Title, pp [iii]-xiii, 170pp :: 6 folding plates.
Quarter brown leather binding with marbled paper is worn and soiled. Flyleaf has ink signature, 'Ellis Evans Surgeon.' Title page toned, while the vast majority of the text is very clean, straight and unhandled. Plates at the rear have soiling, marks and foxing. Some with splits to fold line. Refer to images. Book label Fredrick Wood Jones, bookplate Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell. ESTC T113415. Uncommon. (223x128mm)


Estimate $600-1,200