Synopsis of British Birds [Vol. I-II]

Description:

First edition. Unpaginated, printed to recto only, with Title pages, Preface, sectional titles, and charming illustrations, mostly by the author, 'copied from nature', and engraved by P. Mazell. For each of the 255 species there is an etching occupying the top half of the page with letterpress description beneath. Very scarce. 'Edward Donovan, the nineteenth-century naturalist and author, stated that the work was then already scarce when he wished to purchase it (he died in 1837)' (Jackson, Bird Etchings, pp.148-156). A copy held by McGill University library, bears a note quoted from Donovan stating, 'I am credibly informed that no more than twenty-five copies of the work were struck off. The plates were subsequently destroyed. The figures I know to be genuine, and to be in general copies from the birds in the Leverian Museum.' Jackson (op. cit.) states, 'It seems incredible that only twenty-five copies should have been printed. ... It is true, however, that hardly any copies are available in libraries today, and it is extremely difficult to obtain this book on the second-hand market.'

Mullens and Swann p. 607; Nissen IVB 966; Zimmer p. 660.

Condition

Small 4to (216x180mm), finely bound in cont., full morocco, double-ruled gilt border to boards, floral motifs to corners, spine with raised bands, rich gilt tooling to spine compartments, leather title pieces, double gilt fillet to edges of boards, broad turn-ins also richly gilt-tooled, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Light rubbing to joints and corners. Very occasional light foxing or offsetting. A fine, clean example.