John Gould | A Century of Birds from the Himalayan Mountains, [1831-] 1832, second issue, subscriber's copy, the Earl of Egremont's copy

John Gould

A century of birds from the Himalayan mountains. London: [for the author], 1832

SUBSCRIBER'S COPY, second issue (with backgrounds and foliage hand-coloured), folio (565 x 363 mm), list of subscribers, 80 hand-coloured lithographed plates by Elizabeth Gould from sketches by John Gould, contemporary green morocco by Hering, gilt edges, yellow endpapers, areas of heavy dampstaining (affecting some plates), some gatherings and boards detached, rubbed and worn

Sold as a collection of plates not subject to return.

The collection of birds on which Gould's first folio work was based was formed principally in the North-western Himalayas and was the first of any size to reach Europe. The work was issued in 20 monthly numbers and 102 figures of birds were featured by Elizabeth Gould on the 80 plates. The text was largely written by N.A. Vigors, secretary of the Zoological Society, and the work dedicated to William IV and Queen Adelaide. The subscribers' list comprised 298 names, including J.J. Audubon, Baron Cuvier, Sir William Jardine, John Latham, Edward Lear, Capt. Frederick Marryat, Sir Thomas Phillipps, Dr. John Richardson, P.J. Selby, William Swainson and William Yarrell. Gould's first venture as his own publisher was a financial success.

PROVENANCE:

Earl of Egremont: bookplate; Sotheby's, 27 September 1988, lot 46

LITERATURE:

Nissen IVB 374; Fine Bird Books, p. 77; Zimmer, p.251; Anker 168; Sauer 1