DRESSER, Henry Eeles (1838-1915). A History of the Birds of Europe, including all the species inhabiting the Western Palaearctic Region, London: Taylor and Francis for the author, 1871-1896. 9 volumes including index (volume I) and supplement (volume IX), large 4° (309 x 229mm). Additional pictorial titles and 723 lithographed plates, 721 hand-coloured, by M. & N. Hanhart, Walter and the Mintern Brothers after J. G. Keulemans, Joseph Wolf and E. Neale. (Occasional light spotting and marginal dampstaining.) Contemporary green half morocco, spines with raised bands in 6 compartments, lettered in two, the rest decorated with gilt fleurons and bird ornament (spine of supplement lightly faded, a few covers slightly crinkled, lightly rubbed), gilt edges. Provenance: "purchased from Sotheran & Co. 136 Strand for 52-10-0 in March 1891 - formerly the property of C. I. Lambert esq - Exeter" (pencil inscription in index volume); some plates numbered in manuscript; 61-pages of contemporary manuscript bird sightings, listed alphabetically, inserted in the index vol. FIRST EDITION, based on Dresser's collection of 12,000 bird skins. Originally published in 84 parts between 1871 and 1882, a further 9 supplementary parts appeared in 1895-6. The plate total includes an additional plate in volume VII (Larus Minutus), 599A, not called for in the plate list but mentioned in the text. Henry Seebohm's contemporary opinion of this work is that "is by far the best book which has hitherto appeared on European Birds" (inscription in lot 182, Christie's 11 Nov. 1992). Anker 120; Fine Bird Books p.72; Mullens and Swann pp. 178-79; Nissen IVB 267; Zimmer p.177. (9)