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A Treasure Trove of Discoveries

Wed, Mar 18, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-03-18 11:00:00 2026-03-18 11:00:00 America/New_York Gray's Auctioneers LLC Gray's Auctioneers LLC : A Treasure Trove of Discoveries https://auctions.graysauctioneers.com/auctions/grays/a-treasure-trove-of-discoveries-22341
A Cabinet of Wonders for the Discerning Collector.
Art, History, Science & the Gloriously Specific.
What do Pablo Picasso, Commander J.J. Clark, and the Van Sweringen Brothers have in common? Very little — until now. This extraordinary sale brings together objects that span continents, centuries, and disciplines, united only by the conviction that the best things to own are the ones that come with a story worth telling.
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Lot 81

WOODWARD, John. An Attempt Towards a Natural History of the Fossils of England.

Estimate: $800 - $1,200
Starting Bid
$400

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$200,000 $50,000
$1,000,000 $100,000
WOODWARD, John (1665-1728). An Attempt Towards a Natural History of the Fossils of England.
Publisher: Fayram, Senex, Osborn, and Longman, London. MDCCXXIX [1729]. First edition.

8vo. 2 vols. bound in 1. Full calf leather, with rebound spine and original ruled and gilt title. Embossed borders.

Vol. 1 is two parts, and vol. 2 is five parts, each with separate pagination. One illustration.

H: 7 3/4 W: 5 D: 1 1/8 in. Poor. Spine rebound, though boards are original. Boards have bumps, scuffs, and rubbing to covers and corners, with some losses to corners.

On page 193, printer has left location of certain specimens blank. One is written in pencil, 18th or 19th century handwriting (anonymous).

Bookplate removed by binder and laid inside: "James Norman." James Norman (1735-1806) was a sailor and captain in the British Royal Navy before, during, and after the American Revolution.

Bookplate, front interior board: "John A. Davidson."

Ink annotations in front flyleaves, anonymous author, circa 18th century.
Overall Dimensions
Width: 5.00

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From the Estate of John A. Davidson, Jr. Proceeds to benefit the APL of Lorain County and the Dittrick Museum, CWRU.