Description

13 volumes. First Edition of this rare textual and illustrated work that is considered to be the First Outstanding American Ornithology and the First Great American Colour- Plate Book. Volumes I-VI are first issue, Volumes VII, VIII and IX reissued with the alterations and corrections by Ord made after further ornithological information had been gleaned and First Edition of the Bonaparte volumes with the first volume in rare first state. The nine Wilson volumes beautifully illustrated with 76 superb hand-coloured engraved folio plates by Alexander Lawson, J.G. Warnicke, G. Murray and Benjamin Tanner from original drawings by Wilson, depicting a vast array of American birds. The Bonaparte volumes are illustrated with 27 additional richly hand-coloured folio plates from drawings by Titian Ramsay Peale, A. Rider and (plate 10) by Audubon and A. Rider Folio, 36 x 27 cm. and Folio 38 x 29 & 39 x 32 cm., The Wilson volumes in contemporary mottled calf over marbled paper covered boards, the spines gilt decorated within compartments separated by fine gilt tooling, two compartments lettered and numbered in gilt, some volumes restored at the backs to style and in effort to match the original spine panels though the tooling is slightly different considering the unavailability of the original tools. The four Bonaparte volumes in fine period red morocco over marbled paper covered boards. The spines fully decorated in gilt. vi, 158; xii, 167; xvi, 120; xii, 100; xii, 122; xx, 100; xii, 138; xi, 162; ccxxiii, [i], 298, [4 General Index] pp. Complete + [viii], 105; [x], 95; [iv], 60; [iv], 142 pp. Quite a handsome set in pleasing condition, the usual spotting in places, usually from offsetting from the plates, a few expert repairs to old closed tears in the text, the plates all quite well preserved with much less spotting or browning than is usually found. One volume with a bit of evidence of old damp at the edges of the prelims. Vol. VI with a bit more spotting or foxing than the others as is usual due to the paper, this confined to some of the textual pages, An excellent set. The Bonaparte volumes in very handsome bindings as well, some of the usual offsetting and browning throughout the volumes as is typical with the paper used. Generally, in all volumes the plates are quite clean and the spotting is confined to the text and tissues. The paper used for the text in these sets was prone to foxing and offsetting, spotting and splotching, but fortunately, the paper used for the plates was of a better quality and so, as in the copies being offered here, the plates are generally quite clean with some minor spotting on occasion and then, usually confined to the outer margins. The bindings on the Bonaparte volumes are in original state and offer a very handsome and especially appealing presence.