G.F. Shelley | A monograph of the nectariniidae, or family of sun-birds, 1876-1880

G.F. Shelley

A monograph of the nectariniidae, or family of sun-birds. London: published by the author, 1876–1880

FIRST EDITION, 4to (313 x 238mm.), dedication, list of plates, 121 hand-coloured lithographed plates by and after J.G. Keulemans, FINELY BOUND in straight-grained red morocco gilt, cover with “Sun Birds” stamped in gilt surrounded by an oval border of flowers and leafy sprays within gilt fillet and roll-tooled borders gilt, spine gilt in 6 compartments, gilt edges

A VERY FINE COPY, one of only 250 printed. Shelley, a nephew of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, made several trips to Africa, where this family of birds is found. 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. The latter is rendered perhaps more striking from his being acquainted with this family of birds in their native haunts; and his notes upon the sun-birds inhabiting Prince's Island have been incorporated in my work".

LITERATURE:

Fine Bird Books, p. 108; Nissen IVB 873