MILLER, John Frederick (1759-1796). Cimelia Physica. First Edition.

London: Printed by T. Bensley for Benjamin and John White, Horace's Head, Fleet-Street, and John Sewell, Cornhill, 1796.

Cimelia Physica: Figures of rare and curious quadrupeds, birds, &c. Together with several of the most elegant plants. Engraved and coloured from the subjects themselves by John F. Miller ; with descriptions by George Shaw.
2 pages, [1] leaf, 106 pages, 60 leaves of color plates. Plates printed on wove paper with "J. Whatman / Turkey Mill / 1822" watermark from Maidstone, Kent.

Bound in leather with decorative gilt border with corner rosettes, raised bands, decorative gilt spine, inside dentelles, marbled endpapers.


H: 21 W: 14 3/4 in.

With bookplate, "Robert Callwell / Belfast."

James Whatman (1702–1759), the Elder, was a paper maker, born in Kent, who made revolutionary advances to the craft in England. He is noted as the inventor of wove paper (or Vélin), an innovation used for high-quality art and printing. The techniques continued to be developed by his son, James Whatman the Younger (1741–1798). At a time when the craft was based in smaller paper mills, his innovations led to the large-scale and widespread industrialization of paper manufacturing.

Internal condition very good; hinges cracked, inside hinges repaired with library tape, some damage to spine, headband pulled away, corners worn. Spine title in gilt. Some very slight foxing. Plates are vibrant and fresh.