HOWITT, Samuels (1765?-1822) and Thomas WILLIAMSON (1790-1815). Oriental Field Sports. London: William Bulmer and Co. for Edward Orme, [1805]-1807.

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HOWITT, Samuels (1765?-1822) and Thomas WILLIAMSON (1790-1815). Oriental Field Sports. London: William Bulmer and Co. for Edward Orme, [1805]-1807.

Oblong 2° (428 x 526mm). Paper and plates watermarked “E” or “J. Whatman 1804.” Hand-colored engraved additional title on india paper, 40 hand-colored aquatint plates by H. Merke, J. Hamble, and Viveres after Howitt's drawings after Williamson. (Engraved title and plate 40 with tears and creases affecting image and laid down, plate 31 with a repaired tear crossing the image, a few other marginal chips and tears,some creasing and soiling of leaves.) Later calf gilt.

FIRST EDITION of “the most beautiful book in Indian sport in existence” (Schwerdt) bound from the 20 original parts and containing “the finest impressions of the plates” (Tooley). Plate XXXI is in Tooley's presumed first issue, reading “Hunting Jackals” (and not “Jackals rescuing a hunted brother”). This copy does not retain the advert slip which Tooley records in part 20. Abbey Travel 427; Mellon/Podeschi 88; Nissen ZBI 4416; Schwerdt II, pp. 297-298; Tooley 508.

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