![GOULD, John (1804-1881). A Monograph of the Trochilidae or Family of Humming-Birds. London: Taylor and Francis for the Author, [1849]-1861.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2007/NYR/2007_NYR_01851_0154_000(021716).jpg?w=1)
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GOULD, John (1804-1881). A Monograph of the Trochilidae or Family of Humming-Birds. London: Taylor and Francis for the Author, [1849]-1861.
Volume I only (of 6, including Supplement), large 2o (541 x 362 mm). 3-page subscribers' list. 41 hand-colored lithographed plates, many highlighted in gold leaf overpainted with transparent varnish and oil colors, by Gould and Henry Constantine Richter, printed by Hullmandel and Walton and Walter and Cohn (some occasional pale spotting). Contemporary red morocco gilt, spine gilt, edges gilt (some wear at spine ends and edges, some minor rubbing). Provenance: CL (bookplate with motto "ex multis non multos").
FIRST EDITION. The Humming-Birds was Gould's acknowledged masterpiece, and after the Birds of New Guinea, was his most spectacular production. Issued in twenty-five parts between June, 1849 and September, 1861, the complete set contained 360 extraordinary hand-colored plates, many of which were completed using a process of applying pure gold leaf over-painted with transparent oil colors and varnish to simulate the iridescent qualities of the birds' feathers. This technique, combined with the brilliant coloring of the birds and the lush tropical backgrounds, produced a work of incredible beatuy and accuracy. In addition to the 41 plates and descriptions, volume one contains a preface dated September 1, 1861, and an introduction giving a general review of the humming-bird, its classification, and generic and specific names. Anker 177; Fine Bird Books (1990) p.102; Nissen IVB 380; Sauer 16; Wood p.365; Zimmer, pp.258.
Volume I only (of 6, including Supplement), large 2
FIRST EDITION. The Humming-Birds was Gould's acknowledged masterpiece, and after the Birds of New Guinea, was his most spectacular production. Issued in twenty-five parts between June, 1849 and September, 1861, the complete set contained 360 extraordinary hand-colored plates, many of which were completed using a process of applying pure gold leaf over-painted with transparent oil colors and varnish to simulate the iridescent qualities of the birds' feathers. This technique, combined with the brilliant coloring of the birds and the lush tropical backgrounds, produced a work of incredible beatuy and accuracy. In addition to the 41 plates and descriptions, volume one contains a preface dated September 1, 1861, and an introduction giving a general review of the humming-bird, its classification, and generic and specific names. Anker 177; Fine Bird Books (1990) p.102; Nissen IVB 380; Sauer 16; Wood p.365; Zimmer, pp.258.