[Rarebooks] FS: Wilson's AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, First Edition, 1808-14, with 76 hand-colored plates

[Charles Agvent]

 From our latest internet-only catalogue: Spring 2008: New York Book 
Fair, containing 77 fine pieces and now posted on our website: 
http://www.erols.com/agvent
We will be exhibiting at the ABAA New York Book Fair, April 4 - 6, at 
the Park Avenue Armory at 67th St.  We will be bringing a variety of 
items including leather sets, hand-colored plate books, early printed 
books, signed Presidential items, etc.  Come visit us in booth E-17.

WILSON, Alexander.      AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY; OR THE NATURAL  HISTORY
OF THE BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES.  Philadelphia: Bradford and Inskeep
1808-1814.  First Edition. Nine folio (10-1/2" x 14") volumes in early
20th-century  quarter red roan, marbled boards, ruled and lettered  in
gilt on the spines.  Illustrated with 76 hand-colored engraved  plates
after  Wilson by Alexander Lawson, Benjamin Tanner, G. Murray, and  J.
G.  Warnicke.   FIRST  ISSUE (preface dated 1 October  1808)  of  this
pioneering  work  by the "father of American  ornithology."   Wilson's
original  drawings and paintings of birds and detailed observations of
their  habits and habitats combined to produce "the first truly  great
American  ornithology  and also the first truly  outstanding  American
colour  plate book of any type" (Bennett 114), predating Audubon.  The
numerous  figures represent 262 species of birds, 39 of which were new
to science and 23 re-classified.  Volumes I-VII were published  during
the  author's life; Volume VIII was edited by George Ord and Volume IX
completed  by him from Wilson's notes and his own observations.  Sabin
104597; Zimmer  page 679.  Pencil signature of Francis C. Stanwood  on
each title page dating the binding to 1907.  Some offsetting of plates
onto  text,  unevenly  browned, some spots and stains.  One  plate  is
nicked  in  the  outer edge, another with an early  repair  along  the
gutter,    neither  affecting  the  image.   Spines   lightly   faded,
extremities  a bit worn, some inner hinges cracked. A superb  American
production.   Along with  Audubon  it  is   one  of  the  color  plate
masterpieces  of  the  19th century, significantly less  expensive  to
obtain  though becoming  very difficult to locate.  Very Good  set  of
this attractive and historic work.                          $30,000.00
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CHARLES AGVENT
291 Linden Road
Mertztown, PA  19539-8750
610-682-4750
agvent at erols.com
Visit our home page:  http://www.erols.com/agvent