[Rarebooks] FS: First Issue of Alexander Wilson's AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY in 9 folio vols. with 76 Hand-colored Plates, 1808-14, price greatly reduced
Charles Agvent
chagvent at ptd.net
Tue Jan 29 12:13:14 EST 2013
Price reduced: Was $30,000, Now $22,500
WILSON, Alexander [HAND-COLORED PLATES]. 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 leather, 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. 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. 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. Very Good set of this attractive and historic
work. (#014393) $22,500.00
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