Gray, John Edward

2 vols. Folio (18 3/4 x 13 ins.; 475 x 332 mm).  Lithographed portrait of the author by L. Haghe after J. Lucas, dedication leaf, list of subscribers, list of plates, 202 hand-colored lithographed and engraved plates, by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, after G. Morely, Lowry and J. Swaine; portrait foxed, some foxing to tissue guards and very occasional minor marginal foxing to plates, one closed tear repaired to margin of one plate. Contemporary diced calf, very handsomely rebacked to style, some restoration to corners.

Anker 197; Fine Bird Books, p.103; Nissen IVB 391; Nissen ZBI 1694; Wood, p.368; Zimmer p.272

FIRST EDITION of this rare and  important contribution to the natural history of the Indian subcontinent, including ninety plates of birds. General Hardwicke spent nearly forty years of service in India, and these illustrations are largely engraved from drawings made on the spot and chiefly from living specimens. Both English and native artists were employed and were under Hardwicke's immediate supervision. The prospectus to the work stated that the edition was to be limited to 250 copies, but the list of subscribers accounts for only 101, forty of whom were directors of the East India Company.