A marine naturalist’s treasure in gilt and coral

Published in 1860, this stunning volume The British Sea-Anemones and Corals by Philip Henry Gosse is both a scientific cornerstone and an artistic delight. Bound in deep sea-green cloth with ornate gold coral motifs on the cover and spine, it's a striking example of Victorian natural history publishing at its best.

Inside, you’ll find exquisite hand-coloured illustrations, including multiple finely rendered species of sea-anemones and corals—many by Gosse himself. The book opens with a decorative title page and includes a beautifully typeset dedication to the study of British marine life.

A true first edition, this copy bears the imprint of Van Voorst, Paternoster Row, London, the original 19th-century publisher of many naturalist works. The binding is intact but shows age-related wear at the spine crown; some pages are lightly foxed or pulling at the inner hinges, with edge softness as shown—a book that has seen gentle exploration.

A perfect piece for collectors of marine biology, Victorian illustration, or decorative libraries.

Details:

Title: Actinologia Britannica: A History of the British Sea-Anemones and Corals

Author: Philip Henry Gosse, F.R.S.

Publisher: Van Voorst, London

Date: 1860

Binding: Decorative gilt cloth, blind-stamped edges

Illustrations: Full-page hand-coloured plates

Condition: Structurally sound but worn at spine ends and front hinge; light foxing; some loose signatures

Dimensions: Approx. 23 cm [9.5”] tall

One for the discerning shelf. A marine naturalist’s gem, wrapped in Victorian gilt.