SELBY, Prideaux John. Plates to Selby's Illustrations of British Ornithology. Edinburgh & London: Archibald Constable & Co., and Hurst Robinson & Co (volume I) and W.H.Lizars, Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green & Longman, and W.Curry (volume II), [1824]-1834 (volume I watermarked 1823-1827, volume II 1823-1833). 2 volumes, large folio (646 x 500mm.). Engraved titles. 217 (of 222?) fine engraved plates after Selby. R.Mitford and W.Jardine by Selby, Jardine and W.H.Lizars, 213 hand-coloured (titles and 5 plates slightly creased, 5 plates slightly shaved, one with a small flap in the lower margin bearing the mane of the plate, the others with loss to plate number or background, 5 plates slightly spotted or soiled, 2 plates with small tears in margins). Contemporary green half-morocco gilt, spine in seven compartments with raised bands, brown morocco lettering pieces in two the others elaborately tooled in gilt, g.e., by J.Wright (some scuffing, joints a little weak). Provenance : The Earl St.Germans (armorial bookplate). EARLY EDITION OF THESE 'OUTSTANDINGLY BEAUTIFUL' ILLUSTRATIONS sold with the rare uniformly bound volumes of text: Illustrations of British Ornithology. Edinburgh: 1833. 2 volumes, 8°. (Lacking pp.xxi-xxii in vol.I and pp.433-438 in vol.II). Because of the erratic publication and numbering of this work it is difficult to decide what constutes a perfect first edition. This copy is without plates numbered A-D (Egyptian Neophron; Orange-legged Hobby; Woodchat; Alpine Accentor) which are described in the text as having been issued after the 'publication' volume I. There is some confusion over plates numbered XXVI, XXVI* and XXVII in volume I: according to the text volume only two plates are required: XXVI (Tengalm's Night-Owl) and XXVII (Little Night-Owl). This copy contains XXVI (titled 'Little Owl' but matching the description of Tengalm's Night-Owl) and XXVII (Great Ash-coloured and Red-backed Shrikes). Zimmer calls for XXVI ('Little Owl'), XXVI* (?'Tengalm's Night-Owl') and XXVII (Great Ash-coloured and Red-backed Shrikes). A possible explanation is that one of the two owl plates was cancelled and the Shrike plate issued in its stead after the publication of the text? Zimmer p.571; Fine Bird Books p.107; Nissen 853. Sold not subject to return. (4)
SELBY, Prideaux John. Plates to Selby's Illustrations of British Ornithology. Edinburgh & London: Archibald Constable & Co., and Hurst Robinson & Co (volume I) and W.H.Lizars, Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green & Longman, and W.Curry (volume II), [1824]-1834 (volume I watermarked 1823-1827, volume II 1823-1833). 2 volumes, large folio (646 x 500mm.). Engraved titles. 217 (of 222?) fine engraved plates after Selby. R.Mitford and W.Jardine by Selby, Jardine and W.H.Lizars, 213 hand-coloured (titles and 5 plates slightly creased, 5 plates slightly shaved, one with a small flap in the lower margin bearing the mane of the plate, the others with loss to plate number or background, 5 plates slightly spotted or soiled, 2 plates with small tears in margins). Contemporary green half-morocco gilt, spine in seven compartments with raised bands, brown morocco lettering pieces in two the others elaborately tooled in gilt, g.e., by J.Wright (some scuffing, joints a little weak). Provenance : The Earl St.Germans (armorial bookplate). EARLY EDITION OF THESE 'OUTSTANDINGLY BEAUTIFUL' ILLUSTRATIONS sold with the rare uniformly bound volumes of text: Illustrations of British Ornithology. Edinburgh: 1833. 2 volumes, 8°. (Lacking pp.xxi-xxii in vol.I and pp.433-438 in vol.II). Because of the erratic publication and numbering of this work it is difficult to decide what constutes a perfect first edition. This copy is without plates numbered A-D (Egyptian Neophron; Orange-legged Hobby; Woodchat; Alpine Accentor) which are described in the text as having been issued after the 'publication' volume I. There is some confusion over plates numbered XXVI, XXVI* and XXVII in volume I: according to the text volume only two plates are required: XXVI (Tengalm's Night-Owl) and XXVII (Little Night-Owl). This copy contains XXVI (titled 'Little Owl' but matching the description of Tengalm's Night-Owl) and XXVII (Great Ash-coloured and Red-backed Shrikes). Zimmer calls for XXVI ('Little Owl'), XXVI* (?'Tengalm's Night-Owl') and XXVII (Great Ash-coloured and Red-backed Shrikes). A possible explanation is that one of the two owl plates was cancelled and the Shrike plate issued in its stead after the publication of the text? Zimmer p.571; Fine Bird Books p.107; Nissen 853. Sold not subject to return. (4)
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
