Lot 218
![[American Ornithology] - Wilson, Alexander](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/b2042010-c22e-42e0-8e9f-e5a862ce1198/e4553c57-446c-4723-bae9-95360e022194/0001_eBWIlJ_original.jpg)
[American Ornithology] - Wilson, Alexander
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 19 June 2018 at 12:00 BST
Description
American Ornithology; or, The Natural History of The Birds of The United States. New York: Collins & Co.; Philadelphia: Harrison Hall, 1828-29. 3 volumes, 4to (235 x 138mm.), and 1 volume folio, 76 hand-coloured engraved plates, tissue guards, text dark green half morocco, spines gilt, atlas in later matching dark green quarter morocco and black cloth, text volumes slightly darkened, rubbed, fore-margin of plate volume title stained at outer edge, plate 39 & 44 with small nick from fore-margin, small stain to plate 26, otherwise plates bright, upper joint of volume 1 split and fragile
Footnote
Note: The second full edition of Wilson's work, with plates in their most desirable form. This is the most important work on American ornithology before Audubon.