SOWERBY (George Brettingham). [Thesaurus conchyliorum, or Monographs of genera of Shells. London, Sowerby, 1847-1887]. 5 volumes small in-4, fawn half calf with corners, spine decorated with cold fleurons, red edges (Binding of the period). First edition of this magnificent and very rare iconography of fossil molluscs and shellfish. Important set comprising 64 monographs illustrated with 234 finely coloured plates, drawn and lithographed by G. B. Sowerby II (1812-1884), out of 530 in a complete collection. The Thesaurus conchyliorum is one of the rarest treatises on conchyliology, having been published in 44 parts, involving three generations of Sowerbys. From the library of J. D. Stilwell, with bookplate. Worn bindings with chips and restorations; fourth volume in modern imitation binding; lacking the title and pp. 1-2 of the first volume and a text leaf in two of the monographs. Nissen, ZBI, n°3914.