![LEVAILLANT, François (1753-1824). Histoire naturelle des perroquets. Paris: Levrault frères, 1801[-1805].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0196_000(levaillant_francois_histoire_naturelle_des_perroquets_paris_levrault_f101206).jpg?w=1)
![LEVAILLANT, François (1753-1824). Histoire naturelle des perroquets. Paris: Levrault frères, 1801[-1805].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0196_001(levaillant_francois_histoire_naturelle_des_perroquets_paris_levrault_f025143).jpg?w=1)
![LEVAILLANT, François (1753-1824). Histoire naturelle des perroquets. Paris: Levrault frères, 1801[-1805].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0196_003(levaillant_francois_histoire_naturelle_des_perroquets_paris_levrault_f025143).jpg?w=1)
![LEVAILLANT, François (1753-1824). Histoire naturelle des perroquets. Paris: Levrault frères, 1801[-1805].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0196_002(levaillant_francois_histoire_naturelle_des_perroquets_paris_levrault_f025143).jpg?w=1)
Details
LEVAILLANT, François (1753-1824). Histoire naturelle des perroquets. Paris: Levrault frères, 1801[-1805].
A very rare and large-paper issue of one of the most beautiful books on parrots. Levaillant was one of the greatest French ornithologists, becoming one of the first of a new breed of naturalists who attained prominence towards the end of the eighteenth century, studying and recording their subjects in their natural habitat. Barraband (1767 or 1768-1809) worked for the Gobelins factory and came to be considered as the best ornithological artist of his time. Langlois's engravings capture the precision and beauty of Barraband's gouache and water-color originals. "After he had made himself Emperor, it was part of Napoleon's deliberate policy to initiate a series of magnificent publications that would vie with those undertaken to the orders of Louse XIV. These were sent as presents to crowned heads, men of science, and learned bodies, in evidence of the splendours of the Empire ... The works of Levaillant owe their sumptuous character to [this] impetus. His Histoire naturelle des perroquets is, unwittingly, a part of the glories of Napoleonic France" (Fine Bird Books, p. 11). This work was issued in both quarto and folio format and, according to Anker, the the large-format plates (as here) were executed with greater care than those in the quarto edition. Anker 303; Fine Bird Books (1990), p. 118; Nissen IVB 558; Ronsil 1780; Wood, p. 434; Zimmer, p. 392.
Two volumes bound in one, folio (498 x 332mm). Half-title in volume one, 106 fine engraved plates after Jacques Barraband (only, of 145), printed in colors and finished by hand by Langlois under the direction of Bouquet (scattered mild foxing, about 3 plates with heavier foxing, vol. 2 without title or preliminary leaves). The plates are a numbered run from 1-105, with 2bis and 98bis but without 95bis and 99. Two plate captions are neatly re-lettered in manuscript, with the engraved caption partially effaced. Contemporary green half morocco over marbled boards, spine gilt-lettered (rubbed at extremities, corners showing). Provenance: Gräflich von Fürstenberg, Stammheim (bookplate) – Carl von Altenstein (ownership inscription).
A very rare and large-paper issue of one of the most beautiful books on parrots. Levaillant was one of the greatest French ornithologists, becoming one of the first of a new breed of naturalists who attained prominence towards the end of the eighteenth century, studying and recording their subjects in their natural habitat. Barraband (1767 or 1768-1809) worked for the Gobelins factory and came to be considered as the best ornithological artist of his time. Langlois's engravings capture the precision and beauty of Barraband's gouache and water-color originals. "After he had made himself Emperor, it was part of Napoleon's deliberate policy to initiate a series of magnificent publications that would vie with those undertaken to the orders of Louse XIV. These were sent as presents to crowned heads, men of science, and learned bodies, in evidence of the splendours of the Empire ... The works of Levaillant owe their sumptuous character to [this] impetus. His Histoire naturelle des perroquets is, unwittingly, a part of the glories of Napoleonic France" (Fine Bird Books, p. 11). This work was issued in both quarto and folio format and, according to Anker, the the large-format plates (as here) were executed with greater care than those in the quarto edition. Anker 303; Fine Bird Books (1990), p. 118; Nissen IVB 558; Ronsil 1780; Wood, p. 434; Zimmer, p. 392.
Two volumes bound in one, folio (498 x 332mm). Half-title in volume one, 106 fine engraved plates after Jacques Barraband (only, of 145), printed in colors and finished by hand by Langlois under the direction of Bouquet (scattered mild foxing, about 3 plates with heavier foxing, vol. 2 without title or preliminary leaves). The plates are a numbered run from 1-105, with 2bis and 98bis but without 95bis and 99. Two plate captions are neatly re-lettered in manuscript, with the engraved caption partially effaced. Contemporary green half morocco over marbled boards, spine gilt-lettered (rubbed at extremities, corners showing). Provenance: Gräflich von Fürstenberg, Stammheim (bookplate) – Carl von Altenstein (ownership inscription).