Ichthyology of South Carolina

HOLBROOK, John Edwards. Ichthyology of South Carolina... Vol. I [all published]. Charleston, S.C., 1860. vii, [1], 205pp. plus twenty-eight handcolored lithographic plates. Quarto. Contemporary three quarter pebbled morocco and marbled boards, gilt, spine gilt, t.e.g. Hinges expertly repaired, very light wear to extremities. Internally clean, fresh, and near fine. Meisel III, p. 486. NIssen (Zoology) 1979. Sabin 32452. Bennett, p. 56. From the distinguished sporting library of Edward Sands Litchfield, with his bookplate on the front pastedown. The second edition of Holbrook's work on fishes, equally as rare as the 1855 first, and using the same lithographic stones. The place of publication, on the eve of the destruction wrought on the city by the Civil War, no doubt accounts for the rarity of the book. Each of the plates depicts two species of fish, beautifully colored. Bennett calls the work "extremely rare and interesting." This book represented the end of Holbrook's scientific endeavors. After service as a surgeon in the Confederate Army, he returned home to find his library and collections destroyed. He died several years later. Holbrook is best known for his work on American snakes and reptiles.