Plot, Robert.; The Natural History of Oxfordshire. Being an Essay toward the Natural History of England. 1st edition, 1st issue (authors initials only on title page). Oxford: Printed at the Theater in Oxford, and are to be had there: And in London at Mr. S. Millers, 1677. Small folio, pp. 12, 366, 9, 16 plates and engraved folded map, large engraved devise on title page and engraved arms and initial in dedication of Charles II. The 16 engraved plates are by Micahel Burghers. Each plate has a dedication within an elaborate cartouche addressed to the owner of the land where the illustrated specimens were found.
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The work is complete and is the first issue with the first initials of Robert Plots name shown on the title page. His full name was shown in the subsequent printings. The work is in the original paneled boards with a later matching calf spine and gilt titles. The binding is tight and clean. Toning to end sheets and some text margins, early penned signature on verso of title page with some bleeding through of ink. Over all in very good condition.
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One of the rarer of the early "natural history" works and usually offered without the accompanying map. The work is noted for having the earliest published account of a dinosaur bone. Plot (1640-1696) was born to a land family and at an early age had already devoted himself to the study of the natural world and antiquities. He was Professor of Chemistry and Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, and editor of the Philosophical Transactions. Early in his career he planned a scientific (vs historical) survey of each of the counties of England but only completed and published the results for two; Oxfordshire and Stratfordshire. The result of his Oxfordshire survey was a work on the natural philosophy, paleontology, mineralogy and observations on the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Only 750 copies of the 1st edition, 1st issue were printed. The work consist of ten chapters with chapter five being on "formed stones" (fossils) and has the first discussions and illustration of what later was proven to be a dinosaur bone. Plot considered it the bone of a giant person. Within the work Plot also takes exception to the view that fossils are the result of the one universal deluge. Plot rejected the idea that fossil shells had ever been living creatures and suggested that they were actually the crystallizations of mineral salts, their zoomorphic appearance as coincidental as the regular shapes of stalactites or snowflakes.
The influence of the book was immediately felt. Not only was its author ever after referred to as the "learned Dr Plot", but his work is believed to have influenced Elias Ashmole in the belief that Oxford was the heaven-appointed place for his collection, and persuaded the University authorities both to accept the collection and to provide a fine building in which to house it. The new museum, sited on Broad Street, was a pioneering institution, comprising the museum display on the upper floor, a School of Natural History at ground level, and a chemical laboratory in the basement.
The first edition, 1st printing had Plot's initials on the title page rather then his full name and the notation "The price of sheets at the press, nine shillings"