Fine Books & Manuscripts

JARDINE, William (1784–1843). –– SELBY, Prideaux John (1788–1867). Illustrations of Ornithology. Edinburgh: W. H. Lizars, [1826–1843]. 4 volumes, 4to (305 x 222 mm). Engraved titles, 207 hand–colored etched plates, of which the 154 plates in Vols. I–III are accompanied with an additional uncolored duplicate as issued (occasional offsetting from plates to text). Half red morocco over marbled boards, raised bands, gilt titling and centerpieces in compartments, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers (few minor spots of rubbing to corners). FIRST EDITION OF THIS “CELEBRATED WORK” (Wood) issued in 19 parts: Pts. 1–10 (Vols. I–III) and Pts. 1–9 (New Series issued between 1837 and 1843). RARELY SEEN COMPLETE WITH THE FOURTH VOLUME (New Series) of 53 plates that is described in the “Note” at the rear of the third volume as a “New Series”. Originally published to compliment Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology (1821–33) and in response to the lack of works on non–European avifauna, which as of 1826, there were fewer than a dozen titles published in Europe. Jardine and Selby drew on their wide range of contacts around the world to obtain specimens to illustrate and describe these species, many appearing here for the first time. Anker 222; Fine Bird Books p. 108; Wood p. 405; Zimmer I pp. 322–324.