1855 Natural Phenomena | Gift of Lady Theresa Lewis | Victorian Illustrated Science Book
 
A rare and visually captivating Victorian-era science book on the marvels of the natural world, gifted in 1859 by the noted literary figure Lady Theresa Lewis. Richly bound in decorative red cloth with gilt botanical embellishments, this edition was published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) - renowned for educational and scientific publications in 19th-century Britain.
 
Publication Details
Title: Natural Phenomena
Publisher: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London
Printer: Gilbert and Rivington, St. John’s Square
Date: 1855
Pages: 128, all present
Size: 17.5 × 11 × 1.2 cm
Weight: Approx. 164g
 
Contents Include
Explore more than 50 natural marvels through detailed illustrations and accessible Victorian science:
Rainbows, Aurora Borealis, Halos, Fata Morgana
Will-o’-the-Wisp, Geysers, Water Spouts, Sand Storms
Rapids, Niagara Falls, Glaciers, Icebergs
Coral Reefs, Volcanoes, Avalanche mechanics, and more.
 
Binding & Illustrations
Original decorative red cloth boards with gilt botanical motif and spine title
All edges gilt; blind-stamped floral borders
Over 50 engraved illustrations
Exquisite example of mid-Victorian bookmaking
 
Provenance
Inscription on front pastedown:
“Thomas Lloyd. The gift of Ly Theresa Lewis. September 1859.”
This refers to Lady Maria Theresa Lewis (1803–1865), a distinguished author and editor who moved in prominent literary and political circles. She published The Lives of the Friends and Contemporaries of Lord Chancellor Clarendon (1852), edited Emily Eden’s The Semi-Detached House (1859), and posthumously published Mary Berry’s journals.
Lady Lewis was active in intellectual society at the time of this inscription, and her handwriting appears to match the preserved correspondence in the Bodleian Library.
 
Condition
 
Exterior:
Gilt decoration well preserved with some fading and heavy surface marking
Light wear and fraying to spine ends and corners
Gilt vignette and titling still bright
Small ink marks on boards
 
Interior:
Binding tight; no loose pages
 Light toning with sporadic foxing and light marks.
Small edge tears to pages 73, final leaf, and between back pastedown and back free endpaper. Text unaffected.
Period ink inscription from Lady Lewis, slight ink transfer opposite
Pages otherwise clean and uncreased
 
A Rare Historical Treasure
Combining Victorian natural science, rich illustrative content, and significant literary provenance, this volume is a standout example of mid-19th-century intellectual culture. An excellent addition to collections of natural history, Victorian literature, or women’s 
literary history.
 
Please review all photographs, as they form part of the description.