Description

Africa.- Smith (Andrew) Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa, 5 vol., first edition, 279 lithographed plates, all but 12 hand-coloured, some heightened with gum arabic, tissue guards, without the errata slips, very occasional foxing but generally clean (mostly to plates of beetles), Lord Lilford's copy with his ink signature on front pastedowns, also that of Richard Liversidge, original blind-stamped green cloth, rubbed, spines slightly faded, some wear to joints and spine ends, preserved in 3 modern cloth drop-back boxes with roan labels, [Mendelssohn II p.327; Nissen IVB 880 & ZBI 3868], 4to, [1838]-49-[50].

⁂ A complete set of the first edition of one of South Africa's premier colour plate books: "a handsome and valuable work", giving "full particulars of the natural history subjects of South Africa collected by...Smith's expedition." (Mendelssohn). George Henry Ford (1809-1876) was the expedition member responsible for the majority of the original drawings and he also executed the corresponding plates. The breakdown of plates is as follows: Aves: 114 plates; Reptilia: 78 plates (3 uncoloured); Invertebrae: 4 plates; Mammalia: 52 plates (numbered 1-53, with additional plate 8 and plates 18 & 37 never published, 4 uncoloured); Pisces: 31 plates (5 uncoloured).

Thomas Powys (1833-96, 4th Baron Lilford), ornithologist and author of Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Islands published in 7 volumes in 1891.

Richard Liversidge (1926-2003), South African ornithologist and Director of the McGregor Museum in Kimberley.

Description

Africa.- Smith (Andrew) Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa, 5 vol., first edition, 279 lithographed plates, all but 12 hand-coloured, some heightened with gum arabic, tissue guards, without the errata slips, very occasional foxing but generally clean (mostly to plates of beetles), Lord Lilford's copy with his ink signature on front pastedowns, also that of Richard Liversidge, original blind-stamped green cloth, rubbed, spines slightly faded, some wear to joints and spine ends, preserved in 3 modern cloth drop-back boxes with roan labels, [Mendelssohn II p.327; Nissen IVB 880 & ZBI 3868], 4to, [1838]-49-[50].

⁂ A complete set of the first edition of one of South Africa's premier colour plate books: "a handsome and valuable work", giving "full particulars of the natural history subjects of South Africa collected by...Smith's expedition." (Mendelssohn). George Henry Ford (1809-1876) was the expedition member responsible for the majority of the original drawings and he also executed the corresponding plates. The breakdown of plates is as follows: Aves: 114 plates; Reptilia: 78 plates (3 uncoloured); Invertebrae: 4 plates; Mammalia: 52 plates (numbered 1-53, with additional plate 8 and plates 18 & 37 never published, 4 uncoloured); Pisces: 31 plates (5 uncoloured).

Thomas Powys (1833-96, 4th Baron Lilford), ornithologist and author of Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Islands published in 7 volumes in 1891.

Richard Liversidge (1926-2003), South African ornithologist and Director of the McGregor Museum in Kimberley.

Terms and Conditions

All bidders accept full liability for bids submitted.

Please note that by submitting a bid you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions.

Newsletter Signup

Keyword Alerts

NewsletterNewsletter