Elliot, Daniel Giraud

A Monograph of the Phaisianidæ or Family of Pheasants.  New York: Published by the author, [1870–] 1872



2 volumes, folio (23  1/2  x 19 in.; 597 x 483 mm).  79 fine handcolored lithographed plates after Josef Wolf and J. Smit by J. G. Keulemans and colored by J. D. White, 2 uncolored lithographed plates of generic character after and by Smit, list of subscribers, list of plates; some occasional soft creasing, occasional light spotting and soiling, plate 11 (vol. 1)  with small tape repair.  Contemporary green half morocco, spines gilt in six compartments, edges gilt, marbled endleaves; worn and scuffed, covers of vol. 1 detached. 

Marquis of Ripon, original subscriber (armorial bookplate) — sold Christie's New York, 14 October 2003, lot 115

Ayer/Zimmer 206; Copenhagen/Anker 130; Fine Bird Books 74 (**); McGill/Wood 331; Nissen, IVB  295; Nissen, SVB 156

First edition.  An original subscriber's copy of this opulent work, "the equal in every way to any work by Gould" (Fine Bird Books).  The text by Elliott is cited by both Zimmer and Wood as probably the finest of his monographs, while the plates by Wolf (to whom The Pheasants is dedicated) earn him "the same rank as Audubon and Edward Lear as a bird-painter" (Fine Bird Books).