Author: MEYER, HENRY LEONARD
Title: Illustrations of British Birds.
Date: 1835 - 50
Price: GBP £ 12,000
Book Code: 275

MEYER,HENRY LEONARD.  

Illustrations of British Birds.

London,Longman & Co.,(1835-50),2 vols,folio(380 x 295mm),contemporary full crushed morocco,gilt borders,spine with gilt arabesque designs in compartments,all edges gilt,with list of subscribers(on pink paper),320 hand-coloured engraved plates, mostly including the eggs of the subject, with 5 plates featuring two eggs only on each plate.

First Edition,First Issue, one of 35 copies of perhaps the ‘finest and most complete atlas of portraits of British avifauna(with their eggs) ever published'.Wood

The bibliographical information concerning the Illustrations is until recently very confusing.The investigation of this work by Prof.W.G.Hale carried out over many years has now brought a detailed analysis of the various editions,variant plates,etc. used in the publication.

According to their sales ledger Longmans sold only 35 complete copies of the first edition,although it is possible that Meyer sold a few copies himself before he decided on the 313 plate edition,probably for economical reasons(he put up the price to non-subscribers with the publication of part six).The first edition was published in 79 parts with 4 or 5 plates in each and has the following points :five plates each featuring two eggs ;additional plates of  the Heron and Blackbird (undated) ;Egyptia Vulture facing forward(later issues facing left) ;Stonechat/Whinchat plate has a Spotted Flycatcher removed from later issues ;Jay is 17cm.in length(22.5cm.in later issues) ;Common Sandpiper facing forward.All other bibliographical information appears to be based upon the details presented by Mullens and Swann.This is now known to be incorrect.

The three known large paper copies are versions of the third edition.Prof.Hale has described five editions in all with their variations.

This first edition is particularly fine in a handsome binding,with beautiful colouring displaying the subject often in a natural setting.

Fine Bird Books,p.93 ;Wood,p.462 ;Nissen 627.