Zoology of New York or the New York Fauna, Part III: Reptiles and Amphibia + Part IV: Fishes, in 2 volumes (the rare hand-colored plate version)

Pp. (4), iv, 98, xiv, (1), 415, 8; 23 fine hand-colored plates of reptiles and amphibians by John William Hill + 79 fine hand-colored plates of fishes by John William Hill.  Publisher’s original dark brown cloth, ornately blind-stamped and gilt-decorated with a gilt emblem emblazoned on the front cover and a gilt snake on the spine, original clay-coated yellow endpapers, steel-engraved series title page in each volume, lg 4to.  This is the classic early work on the reptiles, amphibians and fishes of New York with all of the fine lithographed-plates in original hand-coloring.  The subtitle states this series comprises: “…detailed descriptions all of the animals, hitherto observed within the state of New York, with brief notices of those occasionally found near its borders.”  Sabin notes that only a few copies were issued with the plates colored by hand and that “it is hardly necessary to add that they are greatly superior to the plain copies.”  About 300 copies of the volumes on birds and mammals were issued with the plates hand-colored copies; it is certain that far fewer copies of present set on the reptiles, amphibians, and fishes were issued with hand-colored plates.  The fine color plates are exceptionally bright and clean in this copy; it is also unusual to find this work in the original publisher’s decorated cloth.  Volume 2 bears the small old bookplate of Dr. Caleb Green on the front endpaper.  Rare set.