Details
LEVAILLANT, François (1753-1824). Histoire naturelle des perroquets. Paris: Levrault frères (later Levrault, Schoell & Co.), 1801-1805.
2 volumes, large 2° (506 x 323mm). Half-titles, 145 FINE ENGRAVED PLATES AFTER JACQUES BARRABAND, PRINTED IN COLOURS AND FINISHED BY HAND by Langlois under the direction of Bouquet. (Occasional very slight spotting, tissue guards browned.) Crimson morocco gilt, covers with rule and roll-tool border, spine in seven sections with raised bands, lettered in two, the others with elaborate symmetrical design composed from various small flower and foliage tools, gilt-ruled turn-ins, g.e., by C. Smith (spines faded to tan).
FIRST EDITION OF ONE OF THE SCARCEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL OF LEVAILLANT'S WORKS. This copy is in the more desirable folio format (it was also available as a 4°), and was originally issued in 24 parts. Levaillant, the son of the French consul in Dutch Guiana, was born in Paramarimbo and seems to have inherited his father's love of travel. He was one of the first of a new breed of naturalists who attained prominence towards the end of the 18th century and studied and recorded their subjects in their natural habitat. Barraband (1767 or 1768-1809) worked for the Gobelin factory and was considered the best ornithological artist of his time. Langlois's engravings capture the precision and beauty of his gouache and watercolour originals.
Zimmer 392; Anker 303; Fine Bird Books 90; Wood 434; Nissen IVB 558; Ripley and Scribner 170. (2)
2 volumes, large 2° (506 x 323mm). Half-titles, 145 FINE ENGRAVED PLATES AFTER JACQUES BARRABAND, PRINTED IN COLOURS AND FINISHED BY HAND by Langlois under the direction of Bouquet. (Occasional very slight spotting, tissue guards browned.) Crimson morocco gilt, covers with rule and roll-tool border, spine in seven sections with raised bands, lettered in two, the others with elaborate symmetrical design composed from various small flower and foliage tools, gilt-ruled turn-ins, g.e., by C. Smith (spines faded to tan).
FIRST EDITION OF ONE OF THE SCARCEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL OF LEVAILLANT'S WORKS. This copy is in the more desirable folio format (it was also available as a 4°), and was originally issued in 24 parts. Levaillant, the son of the French consul in Dutch Guiana, was born in Paramarimbo and seems to have inherited his father's love of travel. He was one of the first of a new breed of naturalists who attained prominence towards the end of the 18th century and studied and recorded their subjects in their natural habitat. Barraband (1767 or 1768-1809) worked for the Gobelin factory and was considered the best ornithological artist of his time. Langlois's engravings capture the precision and beauty of his gouache and watercolour originals.
Zimmer 392; Anker 303; Fine Bird Books 90; Wood 434; Nissen IVB 558; Ripley and Scribner 170. (2)