Author: HORSFIELD,THOMAS
Title: Zoological Researches in Java
Date: 1821 -24
Price: GBP £ 4,200
Book Code: 279

HORSFIELD,THOMAS.Zoological Researches in Java,and the Neighbouring Islands.

London,Kingsbury,Padbury & Allen,[1821-] 1824,First Edition,4to,(295 x 245mm),contemporary full diced russia gilt,with 72 engraved plates of which 64 are hand-coloured,occasional light foxing,faint stamp on title,overall a very nice copy.

Published in eight parts,this work has now become quite scarce,no copy appearing at auction for many years.

Horsfield took service under the Dutch in Java and Sumatra in 1799 and when the English took temporary possession of the Malayan colonies in 1811,he transferred his services to the British.He was dispatched by Sir Stamford Raffles to the smaller island of Banca to observe the natural history and he left the East Indies in 1819 after nearly 20 years of service.

This work is considered one of the most important descriptions of the zoology of the area.Horsfield was appointed keeper of the museum of the East India Company in Leadenhall Street,and the Zoological Researches is dedicated to the Directors of the East India Company.