.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR
DONOVAN, Edward (1768-1837). The Natural History of British Birds. London: for the Author, 1799-1819.
Details
DONOVAN, Edward (1768-1837). The Natural History of British Birds. London: for the Author, 1799-1819.
The first edition, mixed issue. Donovan's British Birds was issued in fifty monthly parts, illustrated from his own extensive collection of specimens. "The hand-coloring of these birds was delicately and beautifully done, giving the book considerable artistic merit. He painted the figures smoothly with gouache.” (Jackson). According to Donovan, he owned more rare and unusual British birds than any contemporary public collection. He devised an innovative way of displaying his avifauna: he did not, as many of his contemporaries did, create random accumulations of various species but rather grouped male and female of the same species together with nests, eggs and young. Fine Bird Books p.91; Jackson, Bird Etchings, pp. 181-189; Nissen IVB 257.
Ten parts in 5 volumes, quarto (247 x 155mm). 244 hand-colored engraved plates (some spotting and toning). Contemporary calf gilt (vols 1 and 2 rebacked with original spines laid down; board detached from vols 2 and 4). Provenance: George Rowley (possibly the father of ornithologist George Dawson Rowley [1822-1878]; inscription dated 1820).
The first edition, mixed issue. Donovan's British Birds was issued in fifty monthly parts, illustrated from his own extensive collection of specimens. "The hand-coloring of these birds was delicately and beautifully done, giving the book considerable artistic merit. He painted the figures smoothly with gouache.” (Jackson). According to Donovan, he owned more rare and unusual British birds than any contemporary public collection. He devised an innovative way of displaying his avifauna: he did not, as many of his contemporaries did, create random accumulations of various species but rather grouped male and female of the same species together with nests, eggs and young. Fine Bird Books p.91; Jackson, Bird Etchings, pp. 181-189; Nissen IVB 257.
Ten parts in 5 volumes, quarto (247 x 155mm). 244 hand-colored engraved plates (some spotting and toning). Contemporary calf gilt (vols 1 and 2 rebacked with original spines laid down; board detached from vols 2 and 4). Provenance: George Rowley (possibly the father of ornithologist George Dawson Rowley [1822-1878]; inscription dated 1820).