Cassin, John. Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon... Philadelphia: [1853]-1856

CASSIN, JOHN

ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, OREGON, BRITISH AND RUSSIAN AMERICA. INTENDED TO CONTAIN DESCRIPTIONS AND FIGURES OF ALL NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NOT GIVEN BY FORMER AMERICAN AUTHORS, AND A GENERAL SYNOPSIS OF NORTH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. PHILADELPHIA: J.B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., [1853]-1856

4to (10 3/16 x 6 3/4 in.; 259 x 171 mm). 50 hand-colored lithographs, printed by J.T. Bowen of Philadelphia, 18 after George G. White, 32 drawn on stone by William E. Hitchcock; scattered minor foxing to text generally not affecting plates, a few plates irregularly trimmed with minor loss at fore-edge, primarily closed marginal tear to Plate 45 with minor loss. Contemporary half calf and marbled paper boards, spine with raised bands in six compartments, red and black morocco lettering pieces in the second and fourth, the others with a repeat decoration in gilt, marbled endpapers, gilt edges; extremities rubbed, corners a bit bumped.

First edition in book form, originally issued in ten parts from 1853 to 1856.

The work aimed to cover the species discovered since the appearance of Audubon's Birds of America. Cassin headed an engraving and lithographing firm in Philadelphia which produced illustrations for government and scientific publications. He pursued ornithology as an amateur, giving his spare time to the Philadelphia Academy of Science which was developing the largest bird specimen collection then in existence. Cassin arranged and catalogued the 26,000 specimens, and published regular reports of the results of his research.

LITERATURE:

Anker 92; Nissen, IVB 173; Zimmer 124