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1840 Humming-birds large-paper copy of vol II Rare

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JARDINE, Sir William (1800-1874). The Natural History of Humming-Birds. Edinburgh, London & Dublin: W.H. Lizars, S. Highley and W. Curry, 1840. Volume II only (of 2), demy octavo (8 3/8 x 5 ¼ inches; 213 x 133mm). Pp. [i-]iv-viii; [1-]2-192 + 14pp. publisher's catalogue, printed in blue, bound at the back. Uncoloured engraved portrait frontispiece Thomas Pennant, on india paper, mounted, engraved additional title, with a hand-coloured engraved vignette, 30 fine hand-coloured engraved plates, with hand-coloured backgrounds, and heightened with gum Arabic where required. (Spotting to plates, occasionally quite heavy [see images]), Original red morocco, covers with double fillet outer borders in blind, with central arabesque design in gilt, the flat spine lettered and numbered with surrounding arabesque decoration, blind-tooled turn-ins, yellow glazed endpapers, gilt edges (worn, extremities rubbed, spine damaged with tears and loss of the first inch and a half [see images]). Provenance: Edward B. Green (two contemporary inscripions noting the gift of the book from Mrs. J. Hardin).

The second volume only from the very rare large-paper de luxe issue of this important early monograph on one of the most fascinating of all the bird families. This work is described as a re-issue but is, in effect, almost a new work: the text has been altered and reset, and the plates greatly improved by the addition of colour to backgrounds. All are much more delicately and accurately hand-coloured than the regular editions, whilst the addition of gum arabic allows the viewer to recall the shimmering irridescence of the plumage of these miniature masterpieces.

'The great sale of these two Volumes, first published in the Naturalist's Library, and now presented to the Public in a new form, together with the beauty and interest of the objects which illustrate and adorn them, it is hoped will be deemed sufficient warrant for bringing them out upon a more expensive scale than that in which they had previously appeared. Indeed, the very numerous inquiries for our Volumes upon larger paper, and with tinted backgrounds, have forced upon us the present experiment of publishing in demy 8vo, that they may the better range with other Standard Works… If successful, we shall bring out the other Volumes upon Ornithology occasionally … Each volume will be complete in itself, and separate from the series, excepting when … the subject embraces more than one [volume].' (Advertisement from the Publisher).

Zimmer notes that the 'title-pages are new; the text is reset with altered pagination and is printed on larger paper with wide margins further distinguished by the addition of double-rule borders; and the memoirs of Linnaeus and Pennant are considerably enlarged. The plates have been retouched and more finely colored, and have colored scenic backgrounds added…' (Zimmer p.329).

Cf. OCLC 33226062; cf. Zimmer p.329; this large paper issue not noted by the other standard bibliographies.

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[ translate ]

JARDINE, Sir William (1800-1874). The Natural History of Humming-Birds. Edinburgh, London & Dublin: W.H. Lizars, S. Highley and W. Curry, 1840. Volume II only (of 2), demy octavo (8 3/8 x 5 ¼ inches; 213 x 133mm). Pp. [i-]iv-viii; [1-]2-192 + 14pp. publisher's catalogue, printed in blue, bound at the back. Uncoloured engraved portrait frontispiece Thomas Pennant, on india paper, mounted, engraved additional title, with a hand-coloured engraved vignette, 30 fine hand-coloured engraved plates, with hand-coloured backgrounds, and heightened with gum Arabic where required. (Spotting to plates, occasionally quite heavy [see images]), Original red morocco, covers with double fillet outer borders in blind, with central arabesque design in gilt, the flat spine lettered and numbered with surrounding arabesque decoration, blind-tooled turn-ins, yellow glazed endpapers, gilt edges (worn, extremities rubbed, spine damaged with tears and loss of the first inch and a half [see images]). Provenance: Edward B. Green (two contemporary inscripions noting the gift of the book from Mrs. J. Hardin).

The second volume only from the very rare large-paper de luxe issue of this important early monograph on one of the most fascinating of all the bird families. This work is described as a re-issue but is, in effect, almost a new work: the text has been altered and reset, and the plates greatly improved by the addition of colour to backgrounds. All are much more delicately and accurately hand-coloured than the regular editions, whilst the addition of gum arabic allows the viewer to recall the shimmering irridescence of the plumage of these miniature masterpieces.

'The great sale of these two Volumes, first published in the Naturalist's Library, and now presented to the Public in a new form, together with the beauty and interest of the objects which illustrate and adorn them, it is hoped will be deemed sufficient warrant for bringing them out upon a more expensive scale than that in which they had previously appeared. Indeed, the very numerous inquiries for our Volumes upon larger paper, and with tinted backgrounds, have forced upon us the present experiment of publishing in demy 8vo, that they may the better range with other Standard Works… If successful, we shall bring out the other Volumes upon Ornithology occasionally … Each volume will be complete in itself, and separate from the series, excepting when … the subject embraces more than one [volume].' (Advertisement from the Publisher).

Zimmer notes that the 'title-pages are new; the text is reset with altered pagination and is printed on larger paper with wide margins further distinguished by the addition of double-rule borders; and the memoirs of Linnaeus and Pennant are considerably enlarged. The plates have been retouched and more finely colored, and have colored scenic backgrounds added…' (Zimmer p.329).

Cf. OCLC 33226062; cf. Zimmer p.329; this large paper issue not noted by the other standard bibliographies.

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Time, Location
03 Aug 2022
USA, Connecticut, CT
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