Latham, John

A General Synopsis of Birds. London: Benjamin White (for Leigh and Sotheby), 1781-1785



3 volumes in 5, 4to (248 x 191 mm). Engraved handcolored title-pages, 106 engraved handcolored plates; offsetting of plates on text, a few leaves loose in two vols., one text leaf slightly torn, very minor foxing. Nineteenth-century tree calf, spines gilt; somewhat worn, joints dry and cracking.

Sir Harford Jones (armorial bookplate)

Nissen 532

first edition; handsome plates. John Latham, an eminent figure in ornithology for several decades, helped to establish the Linnean Society in 1789.  His Synopsis of Birds is a classic in the field.