Illustrations of British Birds

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The vary rare First Folio (Longman) edition of one of the most valuable illustrated works on Ornithology: With over 300 superb Hand Coloured Folio Plates First edition, no date [circa 1835-1844], four volumes in 2, tall folio, contemporary three quarter red morocco gilt, raised bands, ornately gilt decorated spines, black and brown morocco labels, marbled boards and endpapers, all edges gilt, with 320 beautiful hand coloured folio lithographic plates. Occasional light foxing to the generally clean and vividly coloured plates. Only very minor wear to handsome contemporary binding, binders stamp to verso fep (J Mackenzie & son). Has the first issue point above Meyer & no full stop after Longman. (365*270 mm). (Ayer 433. Sitwell 123. & has the following Hale points: Tab all the 1st ed1st printing; 12 of 12 1st edition points p139/140 & 10 of 10 1st issue plates). A splendid collection of beautiful folio, hand coloured plates. 'With the possible exception of Lord Liford's Birds, this is the finest and most complete atlas of portraits of British avifauna (with their eggs) ever published' (Woods 462). 'One of our most valuable illustrated works on ornithology' (Mullens and Swann 403). 'A very fine and complete collection of lithographs... whose figures were executed by Meyer himself, who was a professional artist, with the assistance of his family and in particular of his Wife' (Anker 59). With plates as called for in the plate lists for each volume, additional Blackbird and Heron plates, and five plates of eggs not in the plate lists. While a total of 313 plates were generally issued in the folio first edition, 'the whole subject [of the printing history, exact dates of publication, number of plates etc] is attended with utmost difficulty; hardly any two copies of the folio editions of the illustrations being alike' (Mullens and Swann 401-402). Originally issued in 79 monthly parts; two subsequent issues of the first edition were published 1837-1844 and 1838-1844. A splendid collection of beautiful folio, hand coloured plates.