Lovell, Robert | The earliest work on minerals by an English author

Lovell, Robert

Panzooryktologia, sive, Panzoologicomineralogia, or a compleat history of animals and minerals [bound with] Pammineralogicon, or an universal history of mineralls. Oxford: Henry Hall for Joseph Godwin, 1661

2 parts in one volume, 8vo (165 x 100 mm). Titles within decorative borders, ornamental headpieces and initials, includes index; leaves toned and foxed, a few stains, first work lacking pagination, tear to lower margin of H1 of part 2, pages 486 and 487 mispaginated, remnants of paper and adhesive to b1 in part 2 affecting a few words but primarily marginal. Contemporary calf, gilt borders, spine gilt in five compartments, edges gilt; spine very worn, spine label mostly missing, front hinge loose but ties holding.

First edition.

These two volumes form an encyclopedia of animals and minerals—the earliest work on minerals by an English author, and perhaps only predated in the English language in its subject by the translation of Liber Aggregations by Albertus Magnus (Schuh).

REFERENCES

Hoover 546, 547; Schuh 3156

PROVENANCE

The Earls of Macclesfield (bookplate of the South Library dated 1860 to upper pastedown; Sotheby’s London, lot 65, 16 March 2004)