[Rarebooks] FS: The first truly great American ornithology with 76 hand-colored plates, 1808-1814

[Charles Agvent]

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)        $18,500

https://www.charlesagvent.com/pages/books/014393/alexander-wilson-hand-colored-plates/american-ornithology-or-the-natural-history-of-the-birds-of-the-united-states

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