The Sea and Its Living Wonders a Popular Account of the Marvels of the Deep and of the Progress of Maritime Discovery from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time
London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1873. Fourth edition; Enlarged and Improved.
VICTORIAN SCIENCE MEETS THE AGE OF EXPLORATION—THE OCEAN AS A WORLD OF DISCOVERY
Written during the great age of nineteenth-century scientific exploration, Dr. G. Hartwig's The Sea and Its Living Wonders surveys the marine world through the combined lenses of natural history, oceanography, and maritime discovery. Intended to provide 'solid instruction under an entertaining form,' the work introduces readers to marine life while tracing humanity's expanding knowledge of the world's oceans.
Drawing upon contemporary science and centuries of exploration, Hartwig examines oceanic environments, remarkable marine organisms, famous voyages, and the progress of maritime discovery from antiquity through the nineteenth century. Richly illustrated throughout, the volume exemplifies the Victorian tradition of making scientific knowledge accessible to a broad readership.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: HANDSOMELY BOUND VICTORIAN SCIENTIFIC WORK
Early half red morocco by W. Worsfold, London, over marbled boards with matching marbled endpapers. Spine with five raised bands, gilt lettering, and elaborate gilt compartment decoration. Top edge gilt. Octavo measuring approximately 8.75 inches tall. xv, 518 pages with index, illustrated throughout with numerous wood engravings, eight chromoxylographic plates, and a large folding color map. A substantial and attractively produced Victorian scientific publication combining text and illustration.
CONDITION: NEAR FINE. The bindings are tight and square. Text clean with light, even age-toning throughout. Moderate shelf handling wear with rubbing at the corners and light wear to the extremities. Gilt remains bright and the folding map is present. An attractive, well-preserved example.
GOULD FAMILY ASSOCIATION: Bookplate of Helen Miller Gould Shepard (1868–1938), noted American philanthropist and daughter of financier Jay Gould. One of the most admired charitable figures of the Gilded Age, Helen Gould Shepard devoted much of her fortune to education, military charities, religious organizations, and public welfare, earning widespread public affection and the nickname 'America's Sweetheart.'
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: POPULAR SCIENCE IN THE AGE OF DISCOVERY —
During the nineteenth century, advances in marine biology, geology, and global exploration transformed public understanding of the oceans. Dr. Georg Hartwig became one of the era's most successful popular science writers, translating contemporary scientific knowledge into engaging works for educated readers. His books helped cultivate widespread interest in natural history at a time when scientific publishing flourished.
MARITIME EXPLORATION FOR THE HOME LIBRARY.
Published while European maritime exploration and scientific expeditions continued to expand knowledge of the world's seas, this enlarged edition reflects Victorian fascination with both marine life and geographic discovery. Its combination of scientific explanation, historical narrative, detailed illustrations, and color plates embodies the richly illustrated natural history books that brought the wonders of the natural world into the nineteenth-century home library.
SUBJECTS: Marine Biology, Oceanography, Maritime Discovery, Natural History, Victorian Science, Exploration, Illustrated Books, Georg Hartwig, Helen Gould Shepard, Jay Gould, Fine Binding, W. Worsfold, Natural History, Maritime History, Oceanography, Scientific Exploration, Victorian Science, Travel & Exploration.
Item #22322
Price: $225.00
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