Illustrations of the Geology of Yorkshire; Or, a Description of the Strata and Organic Remains of the Yorkshire Coast, Accompanied by a Geological Map, Sections and Plates of the Fossil Plants and Animals

First edition (a second part, published by John Murray, followed in 1835/6). xvi, 192pp plus ten maps and charts, all but one of which are hand-coloured, and 14 further plates of monochrome line drawings. Slip bound in giving additional subscribers. In a later library binding of green cloth-covered boards, gilt titles on spine. 4to. Rubbed spine ends, cloth worn in at edges in places. General shelf wear to boards. Corners gently rubbed and rounded. Library reference label on front paste down endpaper, pocket on rear paste down. Some page toning and very light foxing. Some light staining, mostly not affecting images, on plates. Stamp on last page. Containing a geological map, sections and plates of the fossil plants and animals, this is the scarce first edition of John Philipp’s important study of the geology of Yorkshire, the first detailed geological examination of the Yorkshire coastline between Saltburn and Holderness. Orphaned aged seven, John Phillips went to live with his uncle William Smith, “the father of English geology”. After training as a surveyor he helped Smith with the preparation of his celebrated geological map. In 1825 he was appointed keeper of York Museum. With the publication of this work “he showed himself as a creative and not slavish pupil of his uncle [and] as the leading expert on the subject” (ODNB).