A MYSTERY IS AFOOT, LOYAL(?) READER(s?)!

Recently, my Mother showed me a set of three books that she had acquired from a garage sale for a few dollars.



Upon opening one, it is revealed that I am in possession of a set of books about assorted fauna of the natural world, entitled 'A History of the Earth and Animated Nature in Four Volumes,' by Oliver Goldsmith.





What piqued my interest about these editions especially was the notation on the picture of the 'camelopard.'





1822? Does that mean that these books are 187 years old? Or is that the date of the creation of those images? Regardless, I know now that they are from no year before 1822.

My cursory amount of research has come up with little to help me. I've gathered that there are multiple editions of this series, ranging from three to six volume sets, the first being published in 1774, according to this website.

I've linked this blog in my Facebook profile as well as select few other Blogspot blogs. So, (new?) loyal(?) reader(s?), can (any of?) you help me?

And to close my post, the beginning of his misguided description of said camelopard. If you'll go back to the image of this rare beast, note the size of the human figures around it.



UPDATE AS OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 13th, 1:05 A.M.:

I decided to take a few more photographs to share with any who visit the blog, and discovered upon opening the cover of one of the volumes handwriting.



Whatever is written beneath the green sticker on the inside cover was penned at least 110 years ago, which astounds me. If this book is indeed from 1822, then the letters were probably penned with a quill. The fountain pen was patented in 1827, and the metal nib, though patented in 1803, was not commercially exploited at the time. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

And, as promised, more photographs of the lovely prints hiding within: