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SAY, Thomas (1787-1834)
American Conchology, or descriptions of the shells of North America, illustrated by coloured figures from original drawings executed from nature
New Harmony, Indiana: Printed at the School Press, 1830-1834-[?1838]. 7 original parts, octavo (9 1/4 x 6 inches). 68 hand-coloured engraved plates (33 by C. Tiebout, 19 by S. Lyon, 7 by I. Walker and 9 unsigned; 65 after Mrs. Say, 2 after C.A. Lesueur and 1 unsigned). Original wrappers, single blue cloth chemise, all within a modern blue morocco-backed blue cloth box, titled in gilt.
A very rare complete set of the New Harmony edition of Say's `American Conchology' in the original parts
A fine set of Thomas Say's pioneering work devoted to American shells, issued by the School Press at the utopian colony of New Harmony, Indiana.
Say began his career as a naturalist in Philadelphia before 1810. While his first published works were all entomological, he began gathering material on shells at an early date, and supplemented his knowledge with information gathered during numerous expeditions in the United States, including the Long expedition on the Great Plains in 1819-20. In 1827 he joined several other distinguished naturalists of the period in Robert Owen's utopian experiment at New Harmony, Indiana, and helped to establish the printing office at the school there. Having completed the work on his American Entomology... before moving, he was able to devote all his time to American Conchology.... The first number appeared in 1830, followed by five additional sections through 1834. The last part, published after Say's death, is usually dated 1838 but may actually have been printed later than that and somewhere other than New Harmony. The rest of the text was printed at the School Press and the plates were beautifully colored by the students, nine of whom worked on the project at one time.
All the products of the New Harmony press are rare, and this, the only one with color plates, is particularly so. As a piece of American natural history, it is the pioneering and major work in its field, by one of the great American naturalists. "Here are hand-colored copperplate engravings diamond fine in their precision. There was not even any varnish used to heighten the coloring. Looking at these little shells, it almost seems possible to pick them off the page" - McGrath. "A work as extraordinary for having been produced in the wilderness as for its elegance and the importance of its contribution to natural history" - Streeter.
Bennett p.94; Byrd & Peckham Indiana Imprints 414; McGrath pp.15-16; Meisel III, 405; Nissen ZBI 3614; Sabin 77368; Streeter Sale 1413
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#16653 $20,000.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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