Common Objects of the Sea-Shore Rev J G Wood 1857 1st Ed Illustrated Sowerby
Title & Bibliographic Details
The Common Objects of the Sea-Shore; Including Hints for an Aquarium By John George Wood
Illustrations by George Brettingham Sowerby
Published 1857: London: George Routledge & Co., Farringdon Street
Printed by R. Clay, Bread Street Hill, London.
First Edition
The preface is dated London, May 1857, with no earlier edition referenced.
Historical & Bibliographic Context
During the Victorian period, natural history became one of the most popular areas of popular science. Seaside holidays were increasingly common, and books such as this provided accessible guidance for amateur naturalists eager to identify the plants and animals encountered along the shore.
In The Common Objects of the Sea-Shore,
John George Wood presents a friendly and educational introduction to marine life commonly encountered by visitors to Britain’s coasts.
The author explains in the preface that the work grew out of conversations with curious seaside visitors who asked questions about the strange and fascinating organisms they encountered.
The volume was illustrated specifically for this work by
George Brettingham Sowerby, whose reputation as a natural history artist ensured the scientific accuracy of the plates.
About the Author
John George Wood (1827–1889) was one of the most popular popularisers of natural history in Victorian Britain. His accessible works introduced thousands of readers to zoology and natural science, most famously through The Illustrated Natural History.
His books remain widely collected today for their engaging style and attractive Victorian illustrations.
About the Illustrator
George Brettingham Sowerby (1812–1884) belonged to the famous Sowerby family of natural history illustrators and conchologists. His detailed scientific illustrations appeared in numerous important zoological and botanical publications during the nineteenth century.
His work greatly enhances the visual and scientific value of this volume.
Plates and Illustrations
The book includes:
• Frontispiece plate A depicting sea plants
• Several illustrations within the text
• 11 engraved plates following page 128The plates are labelled:
A, B, C, D, E, F, H, J, K, L, M, N
Importantly, the lettering intentionally omits plates G and I, which is confirmed in bibliographic references to this edition. The engravings are signed by E. Evans, the engraver responsible for the plates.
Therefore, no plates are missing from this copy.
Binding & Exterior Description
Bound in illustrated paper over the front board and paper over the rear board, with a red binding along the spine and inner board edges.
This red reinforcement may have been added at a later date, as it partially covers printed text on the rear board.
The front cover features the title, author, publisher, price, and a colour illustration of seaside figures. The rear board carries the publisher’s book list.
The cover remains intact but fragile, showing:
• partial splits along the spine edges
• a split down the centre of the spine
• rubbing to corners and edges
• creasing and rubbing to the spine
• small losses at the head and tail of the spine
• general marking to the boardsA small sticker reading “EYRE” in ink appears on the rear board.
Interior Condition
The pastedowns and free endpapers contain printed publisher’s catalogues.
Pages are lightly tanned with age, with some roughly cut page edges typical of the period.
The plates show occasional edge rubbing or marks, but these do not affect the illustrations.
The pages remain generally neat and clean, with:
• occasional light foxing
• small, scattered marks
• very occasional small edge creases
• occasional tiny edge tears not affecting text or illustrationsThere is pen on the pastedowns and free endpapers, a small amount of pen on the reverse of plate H, and light pencil marks on several plates, which could be erased if desired.
All pages remain securely bound, though there are light gutter cracks between a few sections, including between the rear pastedown and free endpaper.
Physical Details
Pagination: iv + 132 pages plus publisher’s catalogue
Plates: Frontispiece + 11 engraved plates
Dimensions: 16.8 × 10.8 × 1.4 cm
Weight: Approximately 144 g
Rarity & Collector Notes
The 1857 first edition of this Victorian natural history guide is uncommon but not rare. Many copies were produced for the popular Victorian market, but survival rates in original pictorial paper boards are significantly lower due to the fragility of the binding.
Copies are collected for:
• Victorian popular science
• marine natural history
• Sowerby illustrations
• early aquarium literature
The presence of all plates and original illustrated boards makes this a desirable antiquarian example despite wear.