Hugh Fattorini's collection of hand-coloured illustrated books about British birds extends from the first to be published, 1731-38 by Albin through to Stonham's in 1911. It was built up over a period of forty years, during which every opportunity was taken to exchange one copy for another of superior quality. Selection was based on completeness, and the best format, colouring and condition. The quality of the books, most in fine bindings, is enhanced by the rarity, even uniqueness, of seversl items. The collection was kept in ideal conditions.
This is a connoisseur's collection, where a deep knowledge of bibliography was combined with a diligent search for special issues such as large paper editions of Edwards and Meyer; the watercolours on vellum by Lewin; copies with the greatest number of plates as in the William and Charles Hayes items; special colouring by Edwards, or where it is unusual to find a coloured copy as in the Latham coloured by Sarah Stone, Stonham by Lilian medland, and Bewick and Walcott with contemporary colouring.
Only a prospectus and one or two parts were issued for some books (see Young, Whitely, Shield and Perrott) and these now constitute items of the utmost rarity.
The provenance is known for several fine copies of important titles, including Edwards, Pennant, Lewin, Charles Hayes, william AZhyes, Latham and Walcott.
Each lot in this outstanding collection repays careful scrutiny.
Christine Jackson.
August 1995.
Ornithological books.
ALBIN, Eleazar (d.1741/2). A Natural History of Birds... by... Albin... carefully colour'd by his Daughter and Self. London: printed for the Author, sold by John Clarke (vols.I & II only), William Innys and John Brindley, 1731-1738.
Details
ALBIN, Eleazar (d.1741/2). A Natural History of Birds... by... Albin... carefully colour'd by his Daughter and Self. London: printed for the Author, sold by John Clarke (vols.I & II only), William Innys and John Brindley, 1731-1738.
3 volumes, 4° (277 x 226mm). 306 fine hand-coloured etched plates after Eleazar, Elizabeth (41 plates) and Fortinalus (1) Albin, by Henry Fletcher and others, coloured by Eleazar and Elizabeth Albin, with 3 hand-coloured impressions of a plate, titled 'Mites', by J.Scotin (from Albin's Natural History of Spiders showing him on horseback surrounded by various insects) mounted as frontispieces in each volume. (Some browning to about six text leaves in vol.II, about 8 plates slightly shaved into image area, plate 17 in vol.II and 93 in vol.III with light smudging or soiling, frontispiece and plate 78 in vol.III with small tears in upper margins.) 19th-century light-brown half calf, spines gilt with red morocco lettering-pieces (but somewhat scuffed). Provenance: Julia Thornton (signature in vol.I).
FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, OF THE FIRST BIRD BOOK WITH COLOURED PLATES. 89 SETS WERE PRINTED AND COLOURED FOR THE ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. The first issue includes the following points: volume I is dated 1731; the titles make no mention of William Derham's notes; vol.III with vol. number printed II and altered in manuscript to III. BMC NH p.25; Fine Bird Books p.54; Mengel 33; Mullens and Swann p.8; Nissen IVB 14. (3)
3 volumes, 4° (277 x 226mm). 306 fine hand-coloured etched plates after Eleazar, Elizabeth (41 plates) and Fortinalus (1) Albin, by Henry Fletcher and others, coloured by Eleazar and Elizabeth Albin, with 3 hand-coloured impressions of a plate, titled 'Mites', by J.Scotin (from Albin's Natural History of Spiders showing him on horseback surrounded by various insects) mounted as frontispieces in each volume. (Some browning to about six text leaves in vol.II, about 8 plates slightly shaved into image area, plate 17 in vol.II and 93 in vol.III with light smudging or soiling, frontispiece and plate 78 in vol.III with small tears in upper margins.) 19th-century light-brown half calf, spines gilt with red morocco lettering-pieces (but somewhat scuffed). Provenance: Julia Thornton (signature in vol.I).
FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, OF THE FIRST BIRD BOOK WITH COLOURED PLATES. 89 SETS WERE PRINTED AND COLOURED FOR THE ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS. The first issue includes the following points: volume I is dated 1731; the titles make no mention of William Derham's notes; vol.III with vol. number printed II and altered in manuscript to III. BMC NH p.25; Fine Bird Books p.54; Mengel 33; Mullens and Swann p.8; Nissen IVB 14. (3)