First edition, Imperial paper copy. Wood-engraved portrait frontispiece of Thomas Bewick by Charlton Nesbit after William Nicholson, 4 other wood-engraved portraits of Thomas Bewick, title vignette, 166 illustrations, 174 vignette decorations, by Thomas and John Bewick and others.

At some stage this copy passed through the hands of the eminent Newcastle bookdealers Robert Steedman with a pencil note “First edition Imperial paper copy. Very fine copy” under which is another pencil note, “My grandfather’s writing Robert D Steedman”. Also with note “Collated DJS”.

8vo., beautifully bound by Riviere & Sons in full straight grain red crushed morocco, boards with a rich gilt border enclosing a border in blind an a central wavy gilt line panel, spine lettered in gilt with gilt panels and gilt centre tools and blind decoration, top edge gilt. Some foxing to endpapers, otherwise a very clean copy in a choice Riviere binding.