Books

Vol. VII only. Half morocco over marbled boards. Five raised bands and gilt particulars. Marbled endpapers. Top edge gilt. Complete with 80 hand-colored lithographs with tissue guards. Damage to tail of spine and to bottom of front board (see image), as well as some wear to head of spine. Text block reattached to spine (see image). A clean copy with no previous owners' names or other defacements. 7 x 10.5 in (18 x 27 cm) Plate 421: Frigate Pelican Man of War BirdPlate 422: American White PelicanPlate 423: Brown PelicanPlate 424: Brown PelicanPlate 425: Common GannetPlate 426: Booby GannetPlate 427: Tropic BirdPlate 428: Black Skimmer or ShearwaterPlate 429: Cayenne TernPlate 430: Gull-billed Tern, Marsh TernPlate 431: Sandwich TernPlate 432: Sooty TernPlate 433: Common TernPlate 434: Havells TernPlate 435: Trudeau's TernPlate 436: Arctic TernPlate 437: Roseate TernPlate 438: Black TernPlate 439: Least TernPlate 440: Noddy TernPlate 441: Fork-tailed GullPlate 442: Bonapartes GullPlate…

"The Birds of America" is a monumental work by John James Audubon, published as a series between 1827 and 1838. It is one of the most famous and celebrated ornithological works in the world, known for its life-size, hand-colored, engraved plates of birds from the United States. Audubon's work stands out for its combination of artistic beauty and scientific accuracy. The collection features 435 plates, depicting more than 700 bird species, many of which were being documented for the first time. Audubon employed a unique method of mounting dead birds in natural positions on wires as a reference, which helped him create more dynamic illustrations. His attention to detail and commitment to depicting birds in their natural habitats made "The Birds of America" not only a major scientific achievement but also an artistic masterpiece. Audubon's work had a significant impact on ornithology and art in the 19th century, contributing to the burgeoning interest in bird study and conservation in America and Europe. The original editions of "The Birds of America" are among the most sought-after and valuable books in the world, prized by collectors and institutions for their historical and aesthetic value.