Shelley. A Monograph of the Nectariniidae, or Family of Sun-Birds. 1876-1880, one of 250 copies

SHELLEY, GEORGE ERNEST

A Monograph of the Nectariniidae, or Family of Sun-Birds. London: Published by the Author, 1876-1880

FIRST EDITION, 4to (320 x 243mm.), dedication leaf, list of plates, 121 hand-coloured lithographed plates by and after J.G. Keulemans, contemporary brown half morocco, marbled boards, a few text leaves slightly shorter, minor spotting, binding repaired at spine and corners

ONLY 250 COPIES OF THIS HANDSOME MONOGRAPH WERE PRINTED. 

Shelley, a nephew of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, made several trips to Africa, where this family of birds is from. The author also stresses the importance of the book's illustrator: "The illustrations which form such an important portion of my Monograph, have all been executed by Mr. Keulemans, whose name is sufficient guarantee for the accuracy of the details and for high artistic skill”.

LITERATURE:

Fine Bird Books, p.108; Nissen IVB 873; Wood, p.566, Zimmer, p.588

PROVENANCE:

J.D. Brunton, armorial bookplate; Dr. Mitchell, Boldmere, bookplate