Details
DONOVAN, Edward (1768-1837). The Natural History of British Birds. London: for the author and F. & C. Rivington, 1794-95-99. Volumes I-V only (of 10) in three, 8° (231 x 140mm). Half-titles to vols. III-V, 124 hand-coloured engraved plates. (Plate 46 oxidised, plate 98 detached and with tears to margins.) Contemporary red half morocco gilt (some scuffing). First editions of vols. I and II, and reissues of vols. III-V with the words 'in five volumes' on titles. The work was completed in ten volumes with 244 plates in 1819. Cf. Fine Bird Books (1990) p. 91; C. Jackson Bird Etchings pp. 181-189; Nissen IVB 257.
E. DONOVAN. The Natural History of British Insects. London: for the author and F. & C. Rivington, 1792-1797. Vols. I-VI only (of 16) in four, 8° (231 x 140mm). 207 engraved plates only, 200 hand-coloured. (Occasional light browning or spotting to plates.) Contemporary green half morocco gilt (lightly scuffed, spines slightly discoloured). A portion of the first edition of a work that was eventually completed in 1813. Each volume should contain 36 plates, but here the final sixth volume contains only 27 plates (nos. 181-207) and the text ends at leaf H2. Cf. Nissen ZBI 1142. (7)
E. DONOVAN. The Natural History of British Insects. London: for the author and F. & C. Rivington, 1792-1797. Vols. I-VI only (of 16) in four, 8° (231 x 140mm). 207 engraved plates only, 200 hand-coloured. (Occasional light browning or spotting to plates.) Contemporary green half morocco gilt (lightly scuffed, spines slightly discoloured). A portion of the first edition of a work that was eventually completed in 1813. Each volume should contain 36 plates, but here the final sixth volume contains only 27 plates (nos. 181-207) and the text ends at leaf H2. Cf. Nissen ZBI 1142. (7)
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