John Brickell. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF NORTH-CAROLINA. WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE TRADE, MANNERS, AND CUSTOMS OF THE CHRISTIAN AND INDIAN INHABITANTS. ILLUSTRATED WITH COPPER-PLATES, WHEREON ARE CURIOUSLY ENGRAVED THE MAP OF THE COUNTRY, SEVERAL STRANGE BEASTS, BIRDS, FISHES, SNAKES, INSECTS, TREES, AND PLANTS, &C. Dublin: Printed by James Carson. For the Author, 1737. First edition. Rebound in full polished calf with gilt fillet border and gilt turn-in, with gilt-lettered morocco labels and gilt compartments with designs on spine, top edge gilt, marbled and fresh endpapers, and two ribbon bookmarks. 8vo; collation: [i-ii], iii-xv, [1 blank], folding map, 408pp. (with a couple of pages mis-numbered), (2) plates; π8 A-3E4. With preface, list of subscribers, decorated initials, and head- and tail-pieces. Includes folding map and (2) folding engraved plates with animals. ESTC T143839; Sabin 7800 (calls for 2 plates); Howes B762 (calls for 4 plates).

7 5/8 x 5 1/8 in.

John Brickell (Ireland, 1710-1745) arrived in Edenton, North Carolina in 1724 and spent several years in the colony. While it is known that he was a physician, not much else is known about his life. It is clear, however, that his book borrows heavily from numerous sources, especially John Lawson's work. However, Brickell did manage to explore North Carolina during his time here, reaching all the way west to Tennessee and his observations are included in his book. This is an extremely scarce and important title, and with complete plates according to Sabin.

A finely bound volume with minor edgewear and light rubbing at head and tail of spine, joints rubbed; hinges with cracking, light offsetting from turn-ins, a few spots of foxing at endpapers; title page with faint damp staining, grime, small edge tears and chips, and repairs at margins; pages with expected age wear including overall light to moderate toning, light edge fraying, and frequent small repairs (concentrated at preliminaries), with occasional small and faint damp stains, grime, small tears; R1 with small area of paper thinning at outer margin, Y1 with small hole at lower margin; map is in very good condition, plates in overall good to very good condition with several small repairs and tears, first plate with partial separation at head and tail, second plate detached with rear endpapers.