Reliquiae Diluvianae; or, Observations on the Organic Remains Contained in Caves, Fissures, and Diluvial Gravel and on Other Geological Phenomena, Attesting the Action of an Universal Deluge.

FIRST EDITION, Presentation Copy, inscribed by the author to Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, title signed by Brodie, 23 plates, 4 folding maps (3 coloured), some offsetting, bookplate of the Marquess of Headfort to front pastedown, later half calf, 4to, John Murray, 1823.

First edition of the first book in English on the Palaeolithic Age. Buckland’s great scientific work outlined his arguments that the evidence of geology alone demonstrated that a great flood had covered the entire globe during the time of Noah. This work established his reputation as a scientist.

Buckland’s focus in Reliquiae Diluvianae was twofold: to establish “that there has been a recent and general inundation of the globe,” and to establish the nature of the native fauna at the time of the flood. After he summarised his own research and reviewed that of several other geologists, Buckland concluded that there was “the strongest evidence of an universal deluge”.

William Buckland is remembered as the first man to identify and name a dinosaur (although the name dinosaur had not yet been coined by Richard Owen). This was the megalosaurus. He pioneered the use of fossilised faeces in reconstructing ecosystems, coining the term coprolites.

Provenance: Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie (1817-80) was surgeon to George IV, William IV and Queen Victoria. He also pioneered research into bone and joint disease.