First edition. Original umber morocco with gilt titles to the upper cover and gilt rules to the spine. All edges gilt. Author's presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, to his cousin, "To my Cousin John Julius Estridge Xmas 1891 from the author." One small authorial correction to p.56 and several authorial annotations to the plate opposite p.5 identifying the various parts of a capucin parasite. Thirty plates containing mounted photographs of drawings by the author. One fold-out map. A fine copy, with just a tiny tear at the head of the spine. Internally, occasional very light foxing, but generally fresh. An exceptionally well preserved copy of a scarce work.

Henry Whatley Estridge (1837-1902) resided in the Seychelles between about 1879 and 1885 in his capacity as Collector of Customs at Mahé, during which time he made an exhaustive study of the island's flora and fauna, its economy and its geography. He augmented this study with a large number of drawings.
It is supposed he arranged for the printing of his account when he returned to London in 1885. The number of copies issued is not known, but if only by dint of the necessarily laborious process of reproducing the illustrations, the edition is likely to be a very limited one. This is born out by its scarcity in commerce: just three copies have appeared at auction in the last 45 years (all rebacked, which this is not). Five copies are located in UK institutional libraries, two each at Oxford and Cambridge and one at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. There is a further copy in the Royal Collection, which the author presented to Queen Victoria. An acknowledgement reading, "We are informed that the Queen has been pleased to accept the illustrated book, "Six Years in Seychelles" by Mr. Estridge, of Her Majesty's Colonial Service." is pasted on the title page of this copy.

PROVENANCE: John Julius Estridge (the author's cousin and owner of the family estates in St Kitts) authorial inscription from the author.

Stock ID: 37176