Details
GRAVES, George (b.1784). British Ornithology: being the History with a coloured representation of every known Species of British Birds. London: Stephen Couchman (vols.I & II) or W. & S.Graves (vol.III) for the author, sold by Sherwood, Neely and Jones, 1811-1821.
3 volumes, 8° (235 x 144mm). 144 hand-coloured etched plates by Graves, William Samuel Howitt and Weddell after Graves, Howitt and Sydenham Teak Edwards. (Occasional light browning or spotting of text.) Modern brown half calf, spines gilt, by Bernard Middleton.
VERY RARE FIRST EDITION of a work originally issued in 48 parts. It was available with the plates in both coloured and uncoloured form. Graves' "etched plates are notable for their softness and considerable charm... they form an interesting link between the old-style illustrations of the eighteenth century and the better figures of the nineteenth century" (Christine Jackson Bird Etchings 1985, p.200). Mullens and Swann p.246; Nissen IVB 386. (3)
3 volumes, 8° (235 x 144mm). 144 hand-coloured etched plates by Graves, William Samuel Howitt and Weddell after Graves, Howitt and Sydenham Teak Edwards. (Occasional light browning or spotting of text.) Modern brown half calf, spines gilt, by Bernard Middleton.
VERY RARE FIRST EDITION of a work originally issued in 48 parts. It was available with the plates in both coloured and uncoloured form. Graves' "etched plates are notable for their softness and considerable charm... they form an interesting link between the old-style illustrations of the eighteenth century and the better figures of the nineteenth century" (Christine Jackson Bird Etchings 1985, p.200). Mullens and Swann p.246; Nissen IVB 386. (3)