Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. I-III

Description:

First edition, limited to 1025 numbered copies, this set being number 781. Titles in red and black. Colour plates (some chromolithographs) and photogravures by J.G. Millais, H. Grönvold, Archibald Thorburn and G.E. Lodge, uncoloured plates by the author and from photographs. A book review of the first volume published in 'Nature' 1904 stated ‘In two important features this magnificent work, …..may lay claim to special pre-eminence. First, the illustrations, alike in number, size, truthfulness to nature, and artistic excellence, are unrivalled; and secondly, as regards the main and most important part of the subject, namely, the habits and local distribution of the various species, the work is in no sense a compilation, but the result of long and patient personal observation on the part of the author.'

John Guille Millais (1865-1931) was one of the most respected of British ornithologists and bird artists, renowned for his portraiture of wildfowl and game birds. He was the son of pre-Raphaelite painter, John Everett Millais and Effie Gray.

Nissen ZBI 2819.

Condition

3 vols, large-4to (352x320mm), orig. two-tone blue buckram, gilt, top edge gilt. Spines slightly faded, but a fine set; minor spotting to edges of some colour plates.