EDWARDS, George (1694-1773)

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£ 13 860
Auction dateClassic
13.12.2023 11:00UTC +01:00
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CHRISTIE'S
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United Kingdom, London
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ID 1105573
Lot 100 | EDWARDS, George (1694-1773)
EDWARDS, George (1694-1773)

A Natural History of Uncommon Birds and of some other Rare and Undescribed Animals. London: for the Author, 1743-1751. [With:] – Gleanings of Natural History ... Glanures d'histoire naturelle. London: for the Author, 1758-1764.

First edition of this important English ornithological work containing detailed descriptions of birds, many of which had not previously been illustrated. The majority of them were foreign species, usually drawn from live specimens in captivity in London. Linnaeus gave about 350 birds their scientific names based on Edwards' descriptions. The Gleanings was issued as a sequel to the main work. ‘One of the most important of all Bird Books, both as a Fine Bird Book and a work of Ornithology’ (Fine Bird Books). Anker 124, 126; Nissen IVB 286, 288; Fine Bird Books (1990) p.73; Lisney, 188, 193, 198, 201, 205, 208 and 211; Zimmer pp.192-94 and 198-99.



7 volumes, quarto (290 x 230mm). Hand-coloured engraved frontispiece, 362 hand-coloured etched plates, portrait of Edwards in volume 5, portrait of a Samojeed in volume 2 (lacking general title and leaf of introduction, frontispiece mounted on a stub, some minor and insignificant offsetting and spotting, mainly affecting text). Contemporary red morocco, covers with gilt double fillet border, gilt turn-ins and edges, marbled endpapers (rebacked to style). Provenance: Sir John Borlase Warren, Bart (1753-1822; engraved armorial bookplates) – Agustin Edwards (booklabels).

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