London, Lovell A. Reeve, 1864-1865. 4to (28.0 x 22.0 cm). Title page and 27 hand-coloured lithographed plates with explanatory text leaves and printed index. Original "The Oast House, Brook, Ashford" pictorial wrappers.

Rare copy of the gastropod genus Marginella (Marginellidae and Cystiscidae). Part of the Conchologia Iconica, started by Lovell Reeve in 1843 and finished (rather than completed) long after Reeve's death in 1865 by G. B. Sowerby, comprising 20 volumes in all. This monograph includes the description and illustration of species described by Reeve himself, and others but not figured before. Most of the descriptions in the Conchologia Iconica (of species and specimens) are based on material collected by the most famous shell collector of the 19th century, Hugh Cuming (1791-1865). "...Reeve had become acquainted with Cuming, and Reeve’s life was changed forever. ... Their association was such as to encourage Reeve to begin the Conchologia Iconica in 1843 primarily for description of Cuming material. Many of the Part covers for the Iconica carry the wording 'Illustrated chiefly from the Cumingian Collection'" (Petit). The wrappers - with L. Reeve & Co.'s Kent address - indicate that the hand colouring might have been done at a later time, following original examples. Paper spine cover a bit chipped; vague bump to upper outer corner, hardly visible. A clean copy with beautifully, accurately hand-coloured plates. Caprotti, p. 213; Nissen ZBI, 3331; R. E. Petit Zootaxa 1648, p. 30.