British Birds. Vol. I-IV [with] Supplementary Part

Description:

First edition. Large paper, quarto edition, limited to 105 numbered copies (this set, inclulding Supplement, all uniformly numbered, 103 of 105). Colour plates mounted on grey card. Complete with the 'Supplementary Part" (11 pp, 2 col plates). A classic of British ornithology, written and beautifully illustrated by Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935), British artist, naturalist, and one of the finest bird painters and illustrators of his generation.

Anker 508; Nissen ZVI 938; Zimmer p. 634.

Condition

4 vols, large 4to (411x345mm), orig. red cloth, covers framed with a single gilt-ruled border, gilt title to spines, top edges gilt. A little wear and a hint of fading to spines, but a well-preserved set without the heavy fading sometimes found. Some light foxing to endpapers and flyleaves, otherwise clean. A bright and attractive set. The 'Supplementary Part' is in original green card wrappers and it is in very good condition. With the bookplate of Maurice Raymond Portal (1870-1955), soldier, naturalist, and an authority on game birds, who was part of the close circle of naturalists, sportsmen, and field observers, which included Archibald Thorburn and John Guille Millais.