Brenchley, Julius L.

FIRST EDITION, 8vo, xxviii, 488pp., engraved folding map partially hand-coloured, 60 plates [2 chromo-lithographed, 8 wood-engraved, 50 lithographed after J. Smit, G. H. Ford, and A. G. Butler (hand-coloured, chromo-lithographed or plain), 37 wood-engraved text illustrations, original green cloth gilt, dark brown endpapers, bevelled edges, slipcase

Fine Bird Books p.62 (calling for only 10 plates by Smit instead of 21); Hill (2004) 181, Nissen, ZBI 572; Zimmer p.92

A fine copy
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Curacoa sailed from Sydney under the command of Sir William Wiseman "for the purpose of displaying the British flag in the different archipelagos of the Western Pacific" (preface); the ship called at Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Savage Island, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, the new Hebrides, Santa Cruz, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and the Loyalty Islands. The voyage was most significant for the natural history researches it supported. The section on birds was written by George Riobert Gray and was limited to species either new or rare to science; it is illustrated by twenty-one plates, all hand-coloured, after Smit. The other natural history plates comprise reptiles, fish, shells, insects, and butterflies.