Thomas Brown | Illustrations of the genera of birds, 1845, bound in the original parts

Thomas Brown

Illustrations of the genera of birds, embracing their generic characters; with sketches of their habits. London: Smith, Elder & co., 1845

FIRST EDITION, 14 original parts bound in 11, small folio (365 x 274mm.), 59 engraved plates, all but three coloured by hand, ORIGINAL PRINTED WRAPPERS, later clamshell case

RARE, AND IN AN EXCEPTIONAL STATE OF PRESERVATION. It would seem that publication was never completed, and that these fourteen parts were all that was issued. Nissen calls for 59 plates, 56 coloured, but suggests sixteen parts in total, which must be in error. The Bradley Martin copy had parts 1-12 only.

The prospectus, on the lower wrapper says the work “will extend to about 50 Numbers”. The prospectus goes on “It is hoped that this Work will be useful to the Scientific Ornithologist as well as to the beginner, and it will also form an elegant ornament to the Drawing-room”.

The author was curator of the Manchester Natural History Society’s museum.

LITERATURE:

Fine Bird Books, p. 63; Nissen IVB 154; Wood, p. 264