Fine and Rare Ornithology Books
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1. (12821) Chubb, Charles. The Birds of British Guiana, based on the collections of Frederick McConnell , 2 volumes, complete. London: Bernard Quaritch, 1916-1921. First edition Pp. liii, 528; xcvi, 615; 20 fine color plates, most signed by Henrik Grönvold, 24 black-and-white photo-plates, 288 text-figures. Contemporary powder blue cloth, gilt-lettered on the spine, lg 8vo. This set presents an authoritative account of the avifauna of what is now known as Guyana, on northern coast of South America. In addition, volume I also presents a chronicle of the first Roraima expedition by McConnell and volume II provides a description of the second Roraima expedition by John Quelch. This work was issued in a limited edition of 250 numbered copies by Bernard Quaritch, this is no. 221. From the private library of ornithologist G.S. Keith with his name stamp on the front endpaper of each volume. Light edge wear to cloth, text and plates are bright and clean with no signs of use; a near fine copy. Sold
2. (17017) Buller, Walter Lawry. A History of the Birds of New Zealand, limited edition facsimile of the first edition, no. 5 of 250 numbered copies, signed by Anthony A.T. Ellis. Wellington: Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, 1983. Limited edition reprint. Pp. xxiii, 384, (4, extracts from reviews), (1, note on supplementary plates); tinted frontispiece plate of the moa of New Zealand, 35 fine color printed plates after color paintings by Keulemans, some text figures. Publisher's original full brown leather, elaborately gilt-decorated, spine lettered in gilt and with gilt bird of prey and floral decorations, front cover with center motif of North Island Takahe with palm trees in the background and with elaborate border gilt decorations, all page edges in gilt, dark brown endpapers, lg 4to (12 3/4 x 9 7/8 inches). This fine facsimile was published by the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society in a limited edition of 250 numbered copies, this being copy no. 5. It is signed by Anthony A. T. Ellis, President of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. No expense was spared in the production of this volume; it is an accurate and beautiful reproduction of the rare first edition that itself was limited to only 500 numbered copies. According to natural history bookseller Andrew Isles: "A History of the Birds of New Zealand, in either edition, is one of the best, and most underrated, of all nineteenth-century colour plate bird books." See also comments in Anker p. 85; Fine Bird Books (1990) p. 85; Nissen IVB 163; Nissen SVB 83; Casey Wood p. 269 and Zimmer p. 115. No ownership marks and no signs of use. A fine (new) copy. Sold
3. (15803) Cassin, John. Birds Collected on the Commodore M.C. Perry Expedition to Japan, 1852-1854. Washington: Beverly Tucker, Senate Printer, 1856. First edition. Pp. (4), 219-248; 6 fine hand-colored lithographs by William E. Hitchcock. Full goat-skin black morocco, spine with five raised bands with dart continuations, front and rear covers tooled in blind and front cover tooled in gilt with the author and title, tan patterned endpapers, lg 4to (11.5 x 9.2 inches). From the series: Perry, Matthew C. and Hawks, Francis L. - Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan; performed in the years 1852, 1853, and 1854, under the command of Commodore M.C. Perry, in 3 volumes. The purpose of Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan was to establish diplomatic relations with Japan. In the process the expedition collected much information about the people, customs, natural history (mammals, fishes, birds and shells), and the physical environment (such astronomical and meteorological information). This finely bound volume presents the birds collected on that expedition as described by the American ornithologist John Cassin who also served as curator of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. The section on birds is rarely offered as an individual work especially in a fine binding. No ownership marks. Some browning to the title page and to the last page of text only, the remainder of the text and all the fine color plates are bright and clean, the fine morocco binding is as new; a tight copy in near fine condition. Sold
4. (14913) Cassin, John. Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1862. Second edition. Pp. viii, 298; 50 splendid hand-colored lithographic plates. Later one-half black morocco leather, spine with 5 raised bands, lettered in gilt on two compartments and decorated with gilt rectangular patterns highlighted with small feathers in the remaining 4 compartments, over green marbled boards with matching green marbled endpapers, lg 8vo (10.75 x 7.5 inches). This is the second edition of John Cassin's beautifully illustrated work on Western birds. The volume features 50 brilliant hand-colored lithographic plates, including many of species discovered after Audubon's Birds and intended to supplement that great work. "In the spring of 1845, John James Audubon, North America's most widely-celebrated naturalist and best-known painter of birds, met for the first and last time the inconspicuous academic who would eventually succeed him as the dean of American ornithologists - John Cassin" (Peck, I-3). "Probably no other ornithologist of his day had such a knowledge of the literature of the subject" (DAB). Cassin's Birds of California is among the most significant and earliest books "representative of the era of western expansion of American ornithology" (Ellis and Mengel). The work was originally published in ten parts between 1852 and 1855 and contains full-page plates and detailed descriptions of 50 species of birds "not given by former American authors." It also includes a "general synopsis of North American Ornithology," in which Cassin compares American birds with species from elsewhere around the world. "No American had ever offered such a comprehensive analysis" (Peck, I-7). The plates for Cassin were made from drawings by G.G. White and executed along the same lines as Audubon's, both the lithographer, William Hitchcock, and the printer, J.T. Bowen, having worked extensively on Audubon's Birds and on the Quadrupeds as well. This description was modified after a similar description used in the past by Bauman Rare Books. For bibliographic notes see also Anker 92, Zimmer, 124, Nissen 173 and Sabin 11369. Small bookplate on the front endpaper labeled: Ex KEK libris. No other ownership marks and no signs of use. A hint of soiling in the outer margins of two plates with no effect to the color images; a truly spectacular copy in fine condition in a fine binding. $6,500
5. (12213) Greene, W.T. Parrots in Captivity, 3 volumes, complete. London: George Bell and Sons, 1884-1887. First edition Pp. x, 144; xiv, 114; viii, 144, with 81 fine chromolithograph plates. Contemporary half red morocco over marbled boards with matching marbled endpapers, spine with five raised bands with gilt decorations and gilt-lettering, top edge gilt, lg 8vo. This important work details Cockatoos, Parakeets, Lories and Parrots. It is highly prized by interior decorators for the beauty of its plates - therefore complete copies have become difficult to obtain. A bright, clean copy in fine condition in a very fine binding. Sold
6. (11147) Hewitson, W.C. Coloured Illustrations of the Eggs of British Birds, with Descriptions of their Nests and Nidification, 2 volumes, complete. London: John Van Voorst, 1856, 3rd edition. Pp. xvi, 532, 145 full page hand-colored plates of eggs. Contemporary full polished calf, elaborately gilt-decorated on the front and rear boards and in compartments on the spine, red and black morocco title/author labels on spine, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, 8vo. Faint foxing to the endpapers only, a few minor smudges on the boards, one small chip to a red morocco spine label, the text and plates are bright and clean and free from any foxing or browning; a near fine copy in a very attractive period binding. Sold
7. (15733) Horiuchi, Sanmi. Bird Hunting Methods in Japan: A photographic record (in Japanese) + Photographic Record of Bird Hunting in Japan (complete English translation), in 2 volumes. Tokyo: Sansho-do, 1939. First edition. Pp. (4), 1-4, 1-4, (2), 1-92, (1), 1-66, (2); 211 fine black-and-white photographs, 10 text-figures. Publisher's original course weave brown tan cloth, lettered in silver on the spine and with a color image of birds flying into a net inset into the cloth on the front cover, pictorial endpapers, sm 4to (10.25 x 7.5 inches) + Pp. 95 (complete typescript translation into English of the Japanese text) with original pencil drawings of images from the Japanese text. One-half yellow cloth, lettered in black on the spine, over light purple decorated boards, sm 4to (10.25 x 7.25 inches). This rare volume on bird hunting in Japan deals with all hunting methods including the use of air-nets, water-nets, blinds, hooks and bait, baskets, box-traps, cage-traps, rope-snares, hawking/falconry, cormorants, decoys and more standard methods such as shooting. For each method, specific diagrams are provided for building the traps or for training the hawks. The English translation, which was likely authored by Seinosuke Uchida who helped edit the original Japanese text, is divided into sections similar to the Japanese printing - the custom translation (single-sided) is very detailed and the quality of the English is good. From the research library of ornithologist Oliver L. Austin (past Director of the Austin Ornithological Research Center in Wellfleet, Massachusetts and past Curator of Ornithology at the Florida Museum of Natural History), with his rectangular Japanese/English name-stamp seal on the rear endpaper. This work is very rare especially with the custom translation into English. Almost no signs of use; a bright and clean set in near fine condition. $850
8. (12067) Jacquin, Joseph Franz Elden von. Beyträge zur Geschichte der Vögel. Wien: C.F. Wappler, 1784, First edition. Pp. (10), 45, 19 fine hand-colored plates. Contemporary brown sheep, 6 raised bands with gilt decorations in each spine compartment, morocco spine labels, 4to. The author's father, botanical illustrator Nikolaus Jacquin, explored Central America and the West Indies in 1755 to 1759 collecting information for a botanical book he published in 1763. During his travels he also made paintings and described the birds he encountered. He passed these notes and paintings on to his son, Joseph Jacquin, who published the current volume. Jacquin describes 32 species of American birds (several are described for the first time), 19 of which are figured on the hand-colored plates. One of the earliest books published on the ornithology of the Americas. For further information, see Zimmer, p. 320, Anker no. 220, Fine Bird Books (1990), p. 108. Slight marginal foxing to a few text pages, the hand-colored plates are bright and clean, repair made to one spine label, a very good copy in a very attractive contemporary binding. $4,500
9. (15179) Kjærbolling, Niels. Danmarks Fugle (Ornithologia Danica) i 304 Afbildninger af de gamle Hanner + Danmarks Fugle (Ornithologia Danica) i 252 Afbildninger af de dragtskiftende gamle Hanner, samt de fra Hannerne vaesentligt afvigende Hunner og unge Fugle, Atlas Volume with Supplements, 107 hand-colored plates, complete. Copenhagen: Forfatterens Forlag, 1854-1858. Pp. (first title page dated 1858) + 61 hand-colored plates ( I-XXI, XXII a-b, XXIII-XXVII, XXVIII a-c, XXIX-XXXII, XXXIII a-b, XXXIV-XXXIX, XL a-b, XLI - L, LI a-b. LII - LV (last two plates labeled "Supplementtavle") + (second title page date 1854) + 35 hand-colored plates (First Supplement: 1-35) + 8 hand-colored plates (Second Supplement: 1-8), + 3 additional hand-colored plates (un-numbered but one is by Gronvold from Skandinaviens Fugle). Contemporary tan full calf leather, with six raised bands, gilt-lettered in one panel and with gilt decorations in other panels and on the raised bands, front and rear boards with gilt denticles (ornamental tooling like lace) that form the borders of the boards, French marbled endpapers, folio (15 1/8 x 10 inches, 387 x 253 mm). This work presents the complete set of 104 hand-colored plates from the original printing with three additional hand-colored on Danish birds. The octavo text volume is not offered here. See also Zimmer, p. 352; Casey Wood, p. 418; Anker 246-248 and Fine Bird Books (1990), p. 113. First title page a little browned, the hand-colored plates are very bright and clean, the leather binding is very attractive with just a touch of shelf wear; a tight and clean copy in near fine condition. $975
10. (15400) Krause, Georg. Oologia Universalis Palearctica, 78 parts (complete), in 3 volumes. Stuttgart: Fritz Lehmann, 1906-1913. First edition. Pp. title page, index, 16 subtitles (section heads), pp. 158 (text) + 158 fine chromolithographed plates after color drawings by the author, each plate has a key on the facing page. Later one-half red straight-grain morocco over red cloth boards lettered in gilt on the spine and with gilt-panel lines, attractive marbled decorated endpapers, in wine-red textured cloth-covered thick slipcases, lg 4to (12 1/2 x 9 3/8 inches). The text is presented in both German and English. The entire work (text and plates) is printed on card stock; the plates are not numbered but a former owner has neatly numbered them in pencil in the upper outer corner. (Zimmer, p. 360-361) describes the work: "A series of large, beautifully drawn and colored plates of the eggs of Palaearctic birds, showing series and variations in greater or less number. The text, in German and English, gives name and synonymy, and details of nidification in concise form for each species, with full data for each egg or clutch shown. The work was interrupted in 1913, and has never been resumed." The original prospectus advertising the work is laid in at the beginning of volume 1. See also Wood, p. 422. No ownership signatures or bookplates. A fine copy in fine slipcases. $5,000
11. (12830) Kuroda, Nagamichi. A Contribution to the Knowledge of the Avifauna of the Riu Kiu Islands and the vicinity. Tokyo, published by the author, 1925. First edition. Pp. vi, 293 + 8 full page color plates (from painting by Juzo Kobayashi), 1 large folding map, 1 table. Later red morocco with five gilt-decorated raised bands with gilt-lettering in two panels and blind-stamped birds in four other panels, over rose-colored silt cloth, top page edge gilt, folio (15.25 x 10.75 inches). This monograph is based primarily on 14 months of fieldwork from 1921-1922 in the Riu Kiu islands (also known as the Loo Cho islands) that stretch between the Japanese island chain and Formosa (now Taiwan). Zoogeographically, the islands span the Palaearctic region (Japan) and the Oriental region (Taiwan); Kuroda thought this was one of the most interesting ornithological regions of the world from a zoogeographic point of view. The monograph describes 281 species and subspecies based on 1621 skins collected in 1921-22 and reviews all other specimens in museums in around the world. A very through monograph of great regional import in an exceedingly attractive binding. Less than 500 copies were printed. No ownership marks, a beautiful copy in fine condition. $1,875
12. (15604) Kuroda, Nagamichi. A Contribution to the Knowledge to the Avifauna of the Riu Kiu Islands and the vicinity. Tokyo: published by the author, 1925. First edition. Pp. vi, 293 + 8 full page color plates (from painting by Juzo Kobayashi), 1 large folding map, 1 table. Later one-half tan morocco leather with five raised bands, one compartment has a red morocco title/leather panel lettered in gilt, over original wine red cloth-covered boards, original pale yellow endpapers, top page edge in gilt, folio (15.25 x 10.75 inches). This monograph is based primarily on 14 months of fieldwork from 1921-1922 in the Riu Kiu islands (also known as the Loo Cho islands) that stretch between the Japanese island chain and Formosa (now Taiwan). Zoogeographically, the islands span the Palaearctic region (Japan) and the Oriental region (Taiwan); Kuroda thought this was one of the most interesting ornithological regions of the world from a zoogeographic point of view. The monograph describes 281 species and subspecies based on 1621 skins collected in 1921-22 and reviews all other specimens in museums in around the world. A very through monograph of great regional import in an exceedingly attractive binding. Less than 500 copies were printed. Ornate bookplate of ornithologist and author, J. G. van Marle on the front endpaper. A few faint spots to the other page edge only, a tight and clean copy in near fine condition. $1,500
13. (13754) Latham, John. A General History of Birds, 11 volumes, complete with index, bound in 5 thick volumes. Winchester: Printed by Jacob and Johnson for the author, 1821-1828. First edition. Pp. xxxii, 375, (1); (2), 340; (4), 416; (4), 362, (1); (2), 350, (1); (4), 416; (2), 362, (1); (2), 376, (1); (2), 391, (1); (2), 433, (1); 456; index: (2), 17, (134); with 193 hand-colored copperplate engravings. Early one-half calf leather, spine lettered in gilt and with gilt panel lines and other gilt decorations, over original marbled boards with matching marbled endpapers, most volumes with tissue guards present, thick 4to (10 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches). Zimmer (pp. 376-377) states: 'A new edition of the author's "General Synopsis of Birds," 1781-85 (q.v.), rewritten and enlarged to include the species treated in the two supplements to that work as well as forms discovered since their publication.' This major work attempted to cover all bird species from every part of the known world with special emphasis on Australia and the South Seas. Latham is often known as the "grandfather of Australian ornithology" due to his descriptions of birds collected in Phillip's Voyage to Botany Bay published in 1789. Latham was the first to describe a number of important Australian species such as the lyre-bird, the white cockatoo and the emu. As a founding member of the Linnean Society, Latham was very well connected in ornithological circles in England. This gave him access to many recently discovered bird specimens that reached London from the South Seas, Australia and elsewhere. For a complete collation, see Zimmer 376-377; see also Anker 277-278, Wood 427, Nissen 532 and Fine Bird Books (1990) 114. Attractive bookplate of Thomas Perry on the front endpaper. Light rubbing to marbled boards, occasional foxing to some tissue guards only and to a few text pages (generally quite minor), a few plates show faint offsetting to text; overall a very attractive bright and clean copy in near fine condition. $10,000
14. (13753) Meinertzhagen, Richard. Birds of Arabia. London: Henry Sotheran Limited, 1980. Pp. (2), xiii, 624; 19 tipped-in fine color plates by G. Lodge, R. Thorburn, and D. M. Reid-Henry, 9 tipped-in black-and-white photographic plates, 53 text-figures, 36 maps (1 is tinted and folding). Dark green half morocco, spine with five raised bands, lettered in gilt in one compartment and with alternating gilt decorations (falcons and crossed swords), in the other compartments, top page edge gilt, hand-made marbled endpapers, sm folio (13.5 x 9 3/4 inches). This is the Edition De Luxe limited to 295 numbered copies - this is no. 143. This is a very attractive reprint of a work first published by Meinerzhagen in 1954. This De Luxe edition is in a larger format than the original edition. An original letter from Henry Sotheran providing instructions for the care of the book is laid in at front. No ownership marks and no signs of use. Aside from some light marginal flecking to cloth on the front cover, this is a fine (mint) copy in a superb binding. $1,200
15. (16483) Meyer, Adolf B. and Wiglesworth, Lionel W. The Birds of Celebes and the Neighbouring Islands, 2 volumes, complete. Berlin: R. Friedlander and Sohn, 1898. First edition. Pp. xxxii, 392; (ii) 393-962; 42 hand-colored lithograph plates after painting by Bruno Geisler with all tissue guards in place, 3 plain lithograph plates, 7 hand-colored maps. Full turquoise-blue Sokoto goatskin leather, spine with five raised bands, lettered in gold in two compartments (title on a black morocco label), gold-tooled birds in the remaining three compartments, the raised bands highlighted with gold panel lines, top page edges in gilt, hand-made blue marbled endpapers, (original printed pale green printed wrappers, both front and rear, bound in place), lg 4to (13 x 10.25 inches). "A monograph of the ornithology of the Celebes, with a lengthy discussion of the relationships of the island with adjacent territory and a detailed introduction containing a general discussion, a bibliography, and analyses of the avifauna of various islands. Most of the work was written by Wiggleworth" (Zimmer, p. 432). The fine color plates were painted by ornithologist Bruno Geisler who also collected the bird skins and made observations on the range and behavior of some species. In 1887, Bruno Geisler began collecting birds in Ceylon, Java and the Celebes (now Sulawesi) with his brother Herbert. In 1890, they moved to New Guinea. Their bird specimens and some ethnographic material were mainly sold to the then zoological-ethnological-anthropological museum in Dresden (now Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde and Museum of Ethnology Dresden). In 1893, Bruno Geisler became a curator and taxidermist in the Dresden museum. The bird skins collected by Bruno and Herbert were studied by author Adolf Bernard Meyer, a professor at the Dresden museum. See also Fine Bird Books (1990) 121, Nissen IVB 626, Casey Wood 461 and Ripley 192. Inscribed by the authors to British zoologist/ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe in the top margin of the front wrapper of each volume, the inscription is dated 21. 6. 98 which may indicate the actual publication date of this work. Rear printed endpapers of each volume with just a touch of soiling, all of the text, plates, and maps are bright and clean; a tight copy in fine condition in a spectacular binding. Sold
16. (13480) Moore, John. A Treatise on Domestic Pigeons, comprehending all of the different species known in England; describing the perfections and imperfections of each, ... the method of breeding the most curious and valuable sorts, ... the generation of pigeons in general. London: C. Berry, 1765. First edition. Pp. xvi, 144, engraved frontispiece of pigeon coop, 13 engraving plates of different pigeons. Later full green leather, lettered in gilt on the spine and with gilt ruling on the front and rear covers, attractive green marbled endpapers, 8vo. This work was originally privately printed in 1735 by John Moore. It was then titled 'The Columbarium' and issued in a very small edition - only six copies are known to exist in libraries around the world (Casey Wood, 471). It was later published in 1765 under the title 'A Treatise on Domestic Pigeons' in an edition of only 750 copies. This second printing was published anonymously by a practical pigeon fancier. However, it is an exact reproduction of Moore's Columbarium of 1735. This is the first English book on pigeons and is a great rarity. The title page shows some minor offsetting from the frontis plate, a few of the plates are trimmed with no loss to image, there is a touch of marginal foxing to a few pages of the text; a tight and clean copy in very good condition. $1,385
17. (16022) Numata, Kashu Shucho Gafu (=Pictorial Monograph of Birds), in 3 volumes, housed in clasped chitsu case. Tokyo: Kinkado, 1885. First edition. Pp. 75 leaves (un-numbered); 42 double-page hand-colored plates, 63 single-page hand-colored plates, 1 page of Japanese printing at the front and rear of each volume (page at the rear has two red seals), all pages within black frames. Original salmon-colored patterned wrappers, with original printed title label on the front of each cover, string-bound in Japanese-style (fukuro-toji), in original bone-clasped chitsu case, covered in dark blue silk, with printed title label on the front cover, lg 8vo (250 x 177 mm). This is the complete rare first edition of Numata's wood block prints of birds in their native habitats colored by hand. Numata's illustrations place much more emphasis on birds than on plants and, indeed, sometimes omit the latter entirely or present the plants in outline form only. The pages in these three volumes are imprinted with mica in Japanese double construction, and there is considerable usage of gauffrage in the production of the attractive plates. A previous owner has attached a very small typewritten label in the upper outer margin of each plate that lists the common name in English of each bird. Kashu Numata (1838-1901) came from Nagoya and was sufficiently well known that he received an imperial commission. This first printing of his work by Kinkado, published in 1885 (18th year of Meiji), is very rare. No ownership marks. One tissue guard with small piece missing from the bottom outer corner, chitsu case with edge wear and some color restoration at corners; a bright and clean copy in near fine condition. Sold
18. (16644) Rothschild, Walter. The Avifauna of Laysan and the Neighbouring Islands: With a Complete History to date of the Birds of the Hawaiian Possessions, 3 parts complete, in 2 volumes. London: R. H. Porter, 1893-1900. First edition. Pp. (2), xx, xiv, 1-58, 1-21 (Diary), (3, blank), (59)-194; 195-320; 55 hand-colored lithograph plates by and after J.G. Keulemans and F.W. Frohawk, 21 collotype plates from photographs (including one duplicate plate 'Group of Four White Albatrosses'), 7 lithograph views (2 are color tinted), 2 un-colored lithograph plates of heads and bills, 6 text-figures. Contemporary three-quarter dark red morocco over red cloth-covered boards, spine with five raised bands lettered in gilt in two compartments, pink marbled endpapers, top page edges in gilt, folio (15 x 11 1/4 inches; 38 x 29 cm). This fine work was limited to 250 copies only. The pink printed front wrapper from the second of the three original parts has been bound in as the title page to second volume. The other printed wrappers are not present. The first volume has the title page that was issued for the work. Henry Palmer was employed by Rothschild to procure all the known resident land birds and most of the native sea-birds, gathering over 1800 specimens, many of which are housed in the Tring Museum. "Keulemans did a lot of work for Lord Rothschild who had his own private zoological museum at Tring in Hertfordshire … Rothchild's 'Avifauna of Laysan' contained a complete list of the 116 forms of birds from the Hawaiian possessions. Keulemans provided most of the plates illustrating the birds with rather more background than usual and frequently included a young bird with the adult pair of the species. There are many of the original water-color drawings for this book at Tring … the coloring of the lithographs in this work are often brighter than the original water-colors" (Jackson, Lithography 88). This is an exceedingly rare work seldom offered for sale. Most copies reside in institutions. See also Zimmer 532, Anker 429, Fine Bird Books 103, Casey Wood 543, Nissen, IVB 794 and Nissen, SVB 419. Light foxing to the front wrapper only that forms the title page of Part 2; a bright and clean copy in fine condition. Sold
19. (15452) Rothschild, Walter (with) Pycraft, W. P. A Monograph of the Genus Casuarius (with) On the Morphology and Phylogeny of the Palaeognathae (Ratitae and Crypturi) and Neognathae (Carinatae). London: Zoological Society of London, 1900. First edition. Pp. 109-290; 18 fine hand-colored lithographic plates by J.G. Keulemans, 2 hand-colored maps, 4 black-and-white photoprint-engraved lithographic plates by H. Grönvold. Later one-half morocco leather, spine with 5 raised bands lettered in gilt in two compartments, over English marbled boards, with matching marbled endpapers, top page in gilt, sm folio. Transactions of the Zoological of London, volume 15, parts 1 and 2. The brightly colored cassowaries inhabit the Papuan sub-region, consisting of New Guinea and some of its islands, Northern Queensland, and the island of Ceram in the Moluccas. The fine plates by Keulemans are simply exquisite. See also comments in Casey Wood 543 and Anker 215. No ownership marks and no signs of use. A spectacular work in a truly fine binding in near fine condition. Sold
20. (14954) Rowley, George Dawson (editor). Ornithological Miscellancy, 3 volumes, complete. London: Trubner and Co.; B. Quaritch; R.H. Porter, 1876-1878. First edition. Pp. (13), 321; (15), 477; (9), 276, + 139 total plates (3 lithographed frontispieces, 105 hand-colored and color-tinted plates, 3 partly colored maps, 28 monochrome plates). Contemporary half morocco with five raised bands, gilt-titled with gilt panel decorations, over marbled boards with matching marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, lg 4to (13 x 9.5 inches; 330 x 245mm). Forty-one of the hand-colored plates are after Keulemans, others are after Smit and other artists. This set, originally issued in 14 parts at irregular intervals, is edited by Rowley and contains contributions by him and by noted ornithologists of the day such as Dresser, Finsch, Gurney, Meyer, Newton, Przewalski, Salvin, Seebohm, Sclater, Sharpe, and others. These three volumes contain articles on the avifauna of Mongolia, Tibet, New Zealand, Guinea, the Fiji Islands, Madagascar, and the Mascarene Islands among other areas. See also Zimmer 533; Anker 432; Fine Bird Books (1990) 137; Casey Wood 543. Some faint foxing to the rear side of the marbled endpapers, the text and plates are bright and clean; a near fine set in a very attractive period binding. Sold
21. (14966) Vennor, Henry G. Our Birds of Prey, Or the Eagles, Hawks, and Owls of Canada. Montreal: Dawson Brothers, 1876. First edition. Pp. viii, 154; 30 large mounted albumen photographic plates by Wm. Notman (mounted on verso of 30 leaves of printed cardstock, as issued, brown clay-coated endpapers). Publisher's original royal blue cloth, lettered and ruled in gilt on the spine, front cover is decorated in black and with a gilt image of an owl eating a mouse, rear cover is ornately blind-stamped along borders, 4to (11.75 x 8.5 inches). This volume chronicles the eagles, hawks, and owls of Canada and is illustrated with striking photographs by the well-known Canadian photographer, William Notman. Most copies of this work were bound in publisher's red or brown cloth; the volume offered here is bound in the publisher's royal blue cloth which enhances the gilt lettering and gilt decorations in a dramatic fashion. No ownership marks and no signs of use. There are a few slight bubbles to the cloth on the lower front board (barely noticeable), the 30 leaves with the photographs are uniformly a bit wavy as is often the case with this work; a very attractive bright and clean copy in near fine condition. $1,250