DE PAIVA, António da Costa (1806-1879). Monographia molluscorum terrestrium fluvialium, lacustrium insularium Maderensium. Lisbon: Typis Academicis, 1867.

A fine presentation copy of a rare monograph on the shells of Madeira. The author, the Portuguese physician and naturalist António da Costa de Paiva, traveled to Madeira to receive treatment for tuberculosis. While there, he began to study the insects and mollusks of the Macaronesian islands, forming a large collection of specimens from that region which he left to the Royal Academy of Sciences and the Botanical gardens at Kew. BMC NH, p. 1499.

Folio (295 x 227mm). 19, XIX, 169, [2] pp. Half title. 2 hand-colored plates (occasional light dust-soiling around the edges). Contemporary green half morocco and marbled boards, spine gilt (a little worn at extremities, upper joint starting). Provenance: Eduardo Luiz Ferreira Carmo, Portuguese numismatist (presentation inscription).