![LEVAILLANT, François (1753-1824). Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d'Afrique. Paris: J. J. Fuchs [vols. I-III], Delachausée [vols. IV-VI], 1799-1808. 6 volumes, 2° (335 x 252mm). 300 etched plates, printed in colour and finished by hand, by C.M. Fessard and J.L. Perée after J.L. Reinold (spotting and waterstaining affecting some plates, some offsetting). Contemporary green straight-grained morocco gilt, covers with roll-tool borders of corn sheafs enclosed by fillets, gilt spine compartments, gilt edges (lightly rubbed, 3 volumes rebacked preserving old spines). Provenance: Croxteth Library (bookplate).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/CSK/2005_CSK_05620_0009_000(095439).jpg?w=1)
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LEVAILLANT, François (1753-1824). Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d'Afrique. Paris: J. J. Fuchs [vols. I-III], Delachausée [vols. IV-VI], 1799-1808. 6 volumes, 2° (335 x 252mm). 300 etched plates, printed in colour and finished by hand, by C.M. Fessard and J.L. Perée after J.L. Reinold (spotting and waterstaining affecting some plates, some offsetting). Contemporary green straight-grained morocco gilt, covers with roll-tool borders of corn sheafs enclosed by fillets, gilt spine compartments, gilt edges (lightly rubbed, 3 volumes rebacked preserving old spines). Provenance: Croxteth Library (bookplate).
FIRST EDITION of 'by far the most important ornithological work on Africa published up to this period' (Mendelssohn). Levaillant was the son of the French consul to Dutch Guiana. Inheriting his father's love of travel, he became a naturalist of a new sort by studying and recording birds in their natural habitat. This monumental work was published in both 4° and 2° formats in 51 parts, the printing directed initially by J.B. Audebert and continued by Langlois. Anker 297; Sitwell Fine Bird Books 90; Mendelssohn I, 892; Nissen IVB 555; Ronsil 1780; cf. Zimmer 391. (6)
FIRST EDITION of 'by far the most important ornithological work on Africa published up to this period' (Mendelssohn). Levaillant was the son of the French consul to Dutch Guiana. Inheriting his father's love of travel, he became a naturalist of a new sort by studying and recording birds in their natural habitat. This monumental work was published in both 4° and 2° formats in 51 parts, the printing directed initially by J.B. Audebert and continued by Langlois. Anker 297; Sitwell Fine Bird Books 90; Mendelssohn I, 892; Nissen IVB 555; Ronsil 1780; cf. Zimmer 391. (6)
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