![CASSIN, John (1813-69). Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America. Intended to contain Descriptions and Figures of All North American Birds Not Given by Former American Authors, and a General Synopsis of North American Ornithology. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., [1853]-56.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14993_0110_000(cassin_john_illustrations_of_the_birds_of_california_texas_oregon_brit062158).jpg?w=1)
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CASSIN, John (1813-69). Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America. Intended to contain Descriptions and Figures of All North American Birds Not Given by Former American Authors, and a General Synopsis of North American Ornithology. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., [1853]-56.
8vo (268 x 178 mm). 50 hand-colored lithographic plates by William E. Hitchcock, some after George G. White, all printed and hand-colored by J.T. Bowen of Philadelphia. (Some mostly marginal browning to a few plates, a few text gatherings with light browning or spotting.) Original brown publisher’s cloth (corners discreetly repaired, rebacked preserving original spine); quarter brown morocco folding case.
FIRST EDITION, including species of birds discovered after the publication of Audubon’s Birds of America. Issued in parts between July 1853 and June 1855, Cassin’s work was intended to complement the octavo edition of Audubon’s work. The annexation of Texas and addition of California and New Mexico ot the United States led to increased exploration and research in the Southwest. Using J.T. Bowen as the lithographer, Cassin followed Audubon’s format. “Probably no other ornithologist of his day had such a knowledge of the literature and the subject” (DAB). Anker/Copenhagen 92; Ayer/Zimmer, p.124-25; Bennett p.21; Fine Bird Books (1990) p.85; Nissen IVB 173; Reese American Color Plate Books 42; Sabin 11369; Wood p.281.
8vo (268 x 178 mm). 50 hand-colored lithographic plates by William E. Hitchcock, some after George G. White, all printed and hand-colored by J.T. Bowen of Philadelphia. (Some mostly marginal browning to a few plates, a few text gatherings with light browning or spotting.) Original brown publisher’s cloth (corners discreetly repaired, rebacked preserving original spine); quarter brown morocco folding case.
FIRST EDITION, including species of birds discovered after the publication of Audubon’s Birds of America. Issued in parts between July 1853 and June 1855, Cassin’s work was intended to complement the octavo edition of Audubon’s work. The annexation of Texas and addition of California and New Mexico ot the United States led to increased exploration and research in the Southwest. Using J.T. Bowen as the lithographer, Cassin followed Audubon’s format. “Probably no other ornithologist of his day had such a knowledge of the literature and the subject” (DAB). Anker/Copenhagen 92; Ayer/Zimmer, p.124-25; Bennett p.21; Fine Bird Books (1990) p.85; Nissen IVB 173; Reese American Color Plate Books 42; Sabin 11369; Wood p.281.