'Sir Joseph Fayrer's 1874 Edition of 'The Thanatophidia of India' regarding Venomous Snakes of India.
FAYRER, Sir Joseph (1824-1907) 'The Thanatophidia of India being a Description of the Venomous Snakes of the Indian Peninsula with an Account of the Influence of their Poison on Life and a Series of Experiments' Pub. LONDON: J&A Churchill, 1874. Second Edition, 'Revised and Enlarged'. Collation: Half title, title, pp[v]-xi, 176pp :: 31 plates (28 in colour)
This book is notably rare in either edition, the first edition was in 1872. Sir Joseph Fayrer was a British physician who, after spending time in India as a practising surgeon and later as Surgeon General, produced his classic book with coloured plates of venomous snakes, drawn from life by students at the Government School of Arts in Calcutta. His research was based on over 11,000 Government recorded deaths from snake bites in Bengal for the year 1869 and extra research in London on the effects of naja naja (cobra) venom. Fayrer was President of the Medical Board of the India Office in London from 1873 -1895, among many other posts. He was created a Baronet in 1896 and was appointed Physician Extraordinary to King Edward VII in 1901.
Impressed red morocco with gold embossed title, some shelf wear and markings, endpapers re-taped, '110' marked on 2nd leaf, some foxing and tanning, very minor chip and tears to title pages. Bookplate: Ex Libris Anatomica KF Russell (446x325mm)




PROVENANCE:
Collection Late Kenneth F. Russell (1911-1987), Professor of Anatomy and Medical History, University of Melbourne.

Estimate $4,000-6,000