Das Antlitz der Erde.

Wien, F. Tempsky, 1888-1909. Three parts in four. Large 8vo (27.0 x 18.6 cm). 2,954 pp.; 22 plates including several coloured maps, some large, folded; 168 text engravings. Contemporary uniform burgundy half cloth over marbled board. Gilt title on the spines. First comprehensive work on the structure of the Earth. Written by the Austrian geologist Eduard Suess (1831-1914). The second edition (first two parts) and first edition (third part), a logical combination, seen more often. Published in three parts, with the third part in two volumes of which the second with the Namens- und Sachregister für sämtliche Bände by Lukas Waagen. Full collation is as follows: I (zweite unveränderte Auflage, 1892) iv, 779 pp. 48 text figures, six plates (I-VI: two views, three full colour maps), three folded full colour maps in rear pocket; II (zweite unveränderte Auflage, 1888), iv, 704 pp., 42 text figures, three plates (VII-IX: one a graph, the other a full colour map of mount Vesuvius); III(1) (1901) iv, 508 pp., 23 text figures, six plates (X-XV; 1 full colour) and one large folded full colour map in rear pocket ('plate' XVI); III(2) (1909) iv, 789, 158 pp., 55 text figures, three plates, two full colour maps (XVII-XXI). This deviates from what is printed on the title pages (three loose, coloured maps for part III are actually inserted in part I). The set is complete as the total number of plates is correct. One leaf with a chip in the lower outer margin, otherwise an excellent clean, and nicely uniform set. Not in Ward and Carozzi.