Donovan | The Natural History of British Birds. London, 1799-1819, 10 volumes

DONOVAN, EDWARD

The Natural History of British Birds. London: for the Author, and F. and C. Rivington, 1799-1819

FIRST EDITION, 10 volumes, vol. 1-5 re-issue with new titles, vol. 5-10 first issue, 8vo (230 x 140mm.), half-title in volume 4 only, 244 hand-coloured engraved plates, contemporary marbled calf gilt, marbled edges, occasional light spotting, rebacked retaining original spines (volume 2 rebacked to style), a few minor nicks; sold as a periodical not subject to return

A TALL SET, THE BIGNOLD-FATTORINI COPY.

Edward Donovan (1768–1837) was an Anglo-Irish writer, illustrator, and amateur zoologist. He was a collector of natural history specimens, and a fellow of the Linnean Society and the Wernerian Society, both giving him access to great collections and libraries in London. Donovan sadly died impoverished leaving a large family destitute. The Natural History of British Birds was issued as a monthly serial in fifty parts.

LITERATURE:

Nissen IVB 257 ("owing to the irregular and confused fashion in which the parts were issued make no attempt to collate the text"); cf. Fine Bird Books, p.72

PROVENANCE:

Devon & Exeter Institution, stamp on versos of titles; C. Robert Bignold, armorial bookplate; Hugh Fattorini, bookplate, sale, Christie's, London, 19 October 1999, lot 7