A History of British Quadrupeds.

Series: The Naturalist's Library. Mammalia. Vol. VII. Sm. 8vo. xiv, [2], [17]-310 pp. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Aldrovandus, title-page vignette showing polecats, 34 hand colored plates, includes Memoir of Ulysses Aldrovandi, appendix. Original half calf over marbled paper boards, gilt spine, red and green morocco spine labels, five raised bands, t.e.g., marbled endpapers; front joint crack mended with Japanese Kozo, otherwise very good. A rare 1st edition with beautiful hand colored plates by William MacGillivray, a Scottish naturalist, artist and friend of Audubon. In fact he wrote a large part of John James Audubon's Ornithological Biographies from 1830-1839. During an exhibition held at the Werneriam Society in 1830, Audubon commented on MacGillivray's paintings, 'decidedly the best representations of birds I have seen.' However the only MacGillivray paintings to be published in his lifetime are the ones used in this book. Unfortunately he was unable to find a publisher to back him after his written work received criticism and could not afford to self- publish. Further, he did not like cheaper methods of printing, such as lithography, that was used by his contemporaries, nor did he attempt to seek subscribers as had Audubon.

Product Info

Publisher: W. H. Lizars, 1838.

Year: 1838

Type: Used

Binding: Softcover

Seller Info

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