LYELL, Charles. Principles of Geology, being an Attempt to Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface. London: John Murray, 1832-1833. 3 vols., second and first editions, 8vo (212 x 132mm.) 4 engraved maps, 2 folding and 2 hand-coloured, 4 uncoloured engraved plates, 2 hand-coloured aquatint plates, indexes to rear, numerous wood-engraved illustrations, 1p. publisher's advertisement. (Lacking half-title to volume 1, frontispiece of volume 2 nearly detached, initial blanks of volume 3 adhering, toning, occasional spotting.) Near contemporary half calf over marbled paper-covered boards, red morocco lettering pieces to the spines, Thomas Graves' armorial eagle motif in gilt to base of spines (lacking several lettering pieces, endpapers replaced on volumes 2 and 3, light rubbing). Note: volume 1 is a second edition, volumes 2 and 3 are first editions. Inscribed 'From the author. To Lieut. Thomas Graves, RN. H.M.S. Mastiff- Rec'd. at Napoli Le Romania, Dec 22nd 1832' with Graves' monogram at the end. From May 1832 until February 1836 Graves was Commander of H.M.S. Mastiff and surveying the Mediterranean. Provenance: Thomas Graves, naturalist and Lieutenant in the Royal Navy (initials inscribed to in ink on the second blank of volume 1, bookplate to the front pastedown of volume 1); by descent, from the estate of Rendel Williams (3).