Lessons from the Animal World, Tomlinson c1862, Illustrated SPCK Natural History
 
A beautifully illustrated Victorian natural history book: Lessons From the Animal World by Charles & Sarah Tomlinson, c1862. Engraved illustrations, SPCK edition.
 
Title & Bibliographic Detail
Lessons From the Animal World by Charles Tomlinson & Sarah Windsor Tomlinson – Second Series (c.1862)
Published under the direction of the Committee of General Literature and Education
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK), London
Printed by W. Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street, London
 
Overview
A highly attractive mid-Victorian educational natural history book, combining moral reflection with scientific observation. Lessons From the Animal World was designed to teach readers through the habits and structures of animals, blending theology, nature, and illustration in the manner typical of SPCK’s finest 19th-century publications.
This Second Series volume dates to circa 1862, based on SPCK bibliographic records and publisher catalogues. It contains numerous engraved illustrations throughout, including both full-page illustrations and in-text scientific diagrams.
 
Illustrations & Visual Content
This volume is richly illustrated with engraved illustrations and in-text engravings, including:
• Full-page: Bees Swarming (by Whimper)
• Full-page: The Passion-Flower (by Whimper)
• Full-page: Hill Nests of the White Ants (by Whimper)
• In-text engraving: Cells of the Mason Bee
• Many further natural history illustrations throughout
The engravings are a key feature of the book, adding both aesthetic and educational value.
 
About the Authors
Charles Tomlinson (1808–1897) was a Victorian science writer, editor, and educator known for making natural science accessible to general readers.
Sarah Windsor Tomlinson collaborated closely with him on educational and moral works for SPCK, especially for young and family readerships.
Together, they were influential in Victorian popular science publishing.
 
Binding & Exterior Condition
Original blind-stamped cloth binding over boards and spine, with gilt lettering and decorative borders.
Condition notes:
• Binding intact and structurally sound
• Bumping and small rips to corners
• Rips at head and tail of spine
• Light marks and patches of rubbing
• Fading to spine cloth
• Slight lean to the spine
An honest, well-preserved example for a working Victorian educational book.
 
Interior Condition
• Yellow pastedowns and free endpapers present
• Front free endpaper missing (likely originally blank)
• Black pen to front pastedown
• Light marks and occasional creases to pages
• Small rip at top of title page (not affecting text)
• Minor edge rips to a few pages, text unaffected
• Light gutter cracks in places, but all pages secure
Complete: xii + 291 pages + 4-page publisher’s catalogue
 
Physical Details
• Size: approx. 17 × 11 × 2.3 cm
• Weight: approx. 289 g
 
Rarity and Market Context 
This is not a mass-market modern book, but a genuine mid-Victorian illustrated SPCK natural history volume. 
 
Provenance & Collector Appeal
Books like this were used in Victorian homes and schools to teach both natural science and moral reflection. This example shows signs of genuine historical use while remaining complete, secure, and visually appealing – ideal for:
• Collectors of Victorian natural history
• SPCK & religious education history
• Illustrated 19th-century books
• Library or display collections