Banks (Joseph).- Dryander (Jonas) Catalogus bibliothecae historico-naturalis Josephi Banks..., 5 vol.,mixed set, vol.2-5 first edition, vol.1 with near contemporary ink signature to head of title and inscription "Edward Forster March 1826" to front free endpaper, lightly browned and with staining to inner margin of final few leaves, bookplate of Norman Douglas Simpson, contemporary half calf, rubbed, upper joint split, lower cover detached, vol.2-5 with book-label of Thirkleby Park library, Thirsk and bound in handsome contemporary tree calf, spines gilt with red and green roan labels, a little rubbed, vol.5 with slight wear to head of spine, [Ferguson 232], 8vo, William Bulmer, 1798-96-1800.

⁂ Scarce and important catalogue of the one of the most complete libraries of natural history books of the time, effectively serving as a bibliography of such works up to that date. Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820) was a noted naturalist and botanist who accompanied Cook on his first voyage in 1768-71, collecting many important specimens. He served as President of the Royal Society for over 40 years, developed the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, and his library and collections are preserved in the British Library and British Museum. The catalogue was compiled by Banks's librarian and curator of his collections, the Swedish botanist Jonas Dryander (1748-1810), who had been a student of Linnaeus and later became librarian of the Royal Society and the first librarian and vice president of the Linnean Society.

Thirkleby Hall was an 18th century country house designed by James Wyatt. It was inherited by Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey (1848-1916), author of several sporting works on shooting, and demolished in 1927 when the house failed to sell at auction.