GRAY, George Robert (1808-1872). The Genera of Birds; comprising their generic characters, a Notice of the Habits of each Genus, and an extensive list of Species referred to their several Genera. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1844-1849.
GRAY, George Robert (1808-1872). The Genera of Birds; comprising their generic characters, a Notice of the Habits of each Genus, and an extensive list of Species referred to their several Genera. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1844-1849.
'A very important and beautifully illustrated fundamental work' (Wood), the first work to be illustrated by Joseph Wolf after his move to Great Britain. Gray joined the zoological department of the British Museum as an assistant in 1831. 'In 1840 he printed privately a "List of the Genera of Birds," containing 1,065 genera, noting the type species on which each genus was founded; a second edition in 1841 extended the list to 1,232 genera; the third edition (1855) contained 2,403 genera and sub-genera... Finally, near the end of his life, his great "Hand-List of the Genera and Species of Birds" (1869-72) enumerated more than eleven thousand species, and recorded forty thousand specific names given by various authors...' (ODNB). Although only David Mitchell was credited with the illustrations on the title page, the young Joseph Wolf was responsible for 11 of the coloured plates, and a further 59 monochrome plates. In addition, he also finished many of Mitchell's drawings and transferred them onto stone. Mitchell had accepted the office of Secretary to the Zoological Society, and writes that he was subsequently able to 'obtain the assistance of Mr. Wolf of Coblentz... the best available talent in Europe' (vol.I, p.xi Postscript by the Illustrator). A number of other artists were involved, including Edward Lear who contributed two colour plates. Fine Bird Books (1990) p.103; Nissen IVB 388; Wood p.367; Zimmer p.268.
3 volumes, folio (375 x 270mm). 335 lithographic plates, 185 of those depicting Birds coloured, and those showing anatomical details in black (very small chip to text block at read of vol. I affecting about 4 plates and a few leaves of text). Later olive-green crushed morocco by Launder, original part wrappers bound in at end, covers panelled in gilt, top edges gilt (spines toned to brown, extremities lightly rubbed). Provenance: Frederic Gallatin, Jr (ornithological library sold by Anderson Galleries, NY, 1-2 Feb 1921, lot 195, for $70) – ‘C’ (unidentified Aubrey Beardsley design bookplate with single initial).
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GRAY, George Robert (1808-1872). The Genera of Birds; comprising their generic characters, a Notice of the Habits of each Genus, and an extensive list of Species referred to their several Genera. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1844-1849.
'A very important and beautifully illustrated fundamental work' (Wood), the first work to be illustrated by Joseph Wolf after his move to Great Britain. Gray joined the zoological department of the British Museum as an assistant in 1831. 'In 1840 he printed privately a "List of the Genera of Birds," containing 1,065 genera, noting the type species on which each genus was founded; a second edition in 1841 extended the list to 1,232 genera; the third edition (1855) contained 2,403 genera and sub-genera... Finally, near the end of his life, his great "Hand-List of the Genera and Species of Birds" (1869-72) enumerated more than eleven thousand species, and recorded forty thousand specific names given by various authors...' (ODNB). Although only David Mitchell was credited with the illustrations on the title page, the young Joseph Wolf was responsible for 11 of the coloured plates, and a further 59 monochrome plates. In addition, he also finished many of Mitchell's drawings and transferred them onto stone. Mitchell had accepted the office of Secretary to the Zoological Society, and writes that he was subsequently able to 'obtain the assistance of Mr. Wolf of Coblentz... the best available talent in Europe' (vol.I, p.xi Postscript by the Illustrator). A number of other artists were involved, including Edward Lear who contributed two colour plates. Fine Bird Books (1990) p.103; Nissen IVB 388; Wood p.367; Zimmer p.268.
3 volumes, folio (375 x 270mm). 335 lithographic plates, 185 of those depicting Birds coloured, and those showing anatomical details in black (very small chip to text block at read of vol. I affecting about 4 plates and a few leaves of text). Later olive-green crushed morocco by Launder, original part wrappers bound in at end, covers panelled in gilt, top edges gilt (spines toned to brown, extremities lightly rubbed). Provenance: Frederic Gallatin, Jr (ornithological library sold by Anderson Galleries, NY, 1-2 Feb 1921, lot 195, for $70) – ‘C’ (unidentified Aubrey Beardsley design bookplate with single initial).
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No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
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