WILSON (ALEXANDER)


American Ornithology; or, the Natural History of the Birds of the United States, 9 vol. bound in 3, FIRST EDITION, 76 hand-coloured engraved plates, without half-titles, heavy spotting and off-setting, some plates shaved, loss to corner plate 68, short marginal tear repaired to plate 69, modern red morocco-backed marbled boards [Anker 533; Fine Bird Books, p.114; Nissen IVB 992; Sabin 104597; Wood, p.630; Zimmer, p.679], folio (344 x 250mm.), Philadelphia, Bradford and Inskeep, Printed by Robert Carr[-William Carr], 1808-1814
|"The first truly great American ornithology and also the first truly oustanding American colour plate book of any type" (W. Bennett, A Practical Guide to American Nineteenth Century Colour Plate Books, NY, 1949). Wilson, "the father of American ornithology", died before the publication of the final two volumes, which were subsequently edited by George Ord.Provenance: De Goederen, Amsterdam, 4 November 1953.