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Details
WILLIAM SWAINSON (1789-1855)
The Ornithological Drawings. The Birds of Brazil. London: Baldwin & Cradock, [1834-36]. 8° (241 x 148mm). 62 finely hand-coloured lithographic plates, original upper wrapper to Part I laid down as title. (Occasional light spotting, darker on plates 29 and 30, paper to plate 11 toned.) Recent handsome contemporary-style green half morocco gilt, one compartment of spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt. Provenance: Maggs Bros., catalogue note pasted neatly to the front free end paper.
FIRST EDITION; A GREAT RARITY. An enthusiastic traveller and a passionate ornithologist, Swainson was also 'One of the best ornithological artist of the time' (Jackson). He joined Henry Koster on the explorer's second journey to Brazil in late 1816, returning to Liverpool two years later loaded with specimens of birds and plants. Encouraged to explore the lithographic process, Swainson recognised it as providing a less expensive medium for reproducing his beautiful drawings, although in the early days of the process the stones were often spoilt during printing. Maggs Bibliotheca Americana, 2451; cf. Anker 494; cf. Nissen IVB, 912; cf. Wood/McGill p.589; cf. Sitwell Fine Bird Books, p.146; Jackson Bird Illustration, pp25-31.
The Ornithological Drawings. The Birds of Brazil. London: Baldwin & Cradock, [1834-36]. 8° (241 x 148mm). 62 finely hand-coloured lithographic plates, original upper wrapper to Part I laid down as title. (Occasional light spotting, darker on plates 29 and 30, paper to plate 11 toned.) Recent handsome contemporary-style green half morocco gilt, one compartment of spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt. Provenance: Maggs Bros., catalogue note pasted neatly to the front free end paper.
FIRST EDITION; A GREAT RARITY. An enthusiastic traveller and a passionate ornithologist, Swainson was also 'One of the best ornithological artist of the time' (Jackson). He joined Henry Koster on the explorer's second journey to Brazil in late 1816, returning to Liverpool two years later loaded with specimens of birds and plants. Encouraged to explore the lithographic process, Swainson recognised it as providing a less expensive medium for reproducing his beautiful drawings, although in the early days of the process the stones were often spoilt during printing. Maggs Bibliotheca Americana, 2451; cf. Anker 494; cf. Nissen IVB, 912; cf. Wood/McGill p.589; cf. Sitwell Fine Bird Books, p.146; Jackson Bird Illustration, pp25-31.