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The Birds of Europe

Lot 73
27.06.2024 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 52 920
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1236303
Lot 73 | The Birds of Europe
Estimate value
$ 40 000 – 60 000
GOULD, John (1804-1881). The Birds of Europe. London: by Richard and John E. Taylor, published by the Author 1832-37.

“Among the most remarkable bird drawings ever made” (Susan Hyman on the work of Edward Lear)

First edition, subscriber's copy, of Gould's first multi-volume ornithological work, the second of the folio series. The original owner is listed on the subscription list as the Hon. T. Rous of South-Street, Park-Lane.

As stated in the preface, “the Birds of Europe, in which we are, or ought to be, most interested, have not received that degree of attention which they naturally demand. The present work has been undertaken to supply that deficiency.” The drawings of continental species were taken from specimens in museums and zoos in Holland, Germany and Switzerland, which Gould had toured several times in the 1830's, at least once with Lear, who was the first and greatest of the fine series of artists that he was to employ over the ensuing half century. Lear's influence is evident in many of the plates. His understanding of the possibilities that lithography offered and his mastery of the techniques involved contributed much to the founding of Gould's reputation. "There is no doubt that Edward Lear was the first person to understand the art of lithography, and to use it to its fullest potential. It was a legacy that granted the fabled works of Gould their success, and took them into the forefront of nineteenth-century illustration" (Isabella Tree, The Ruling Passion of John Gould, p. 43). Susan Hyman, in her study of Edward Lear’s ornithological work, wrote: “they are certainly among the most remarkable bird drawings ever made … it is evident that Lear endowed them with some measure of his own whimsy and intelligence, his energetic curiosity, his self-conscious clumsiness and his unselfconscious charm” (Hyman, Edward Lear’s Birds). Anker/Copenhagen 169; Ayer/Zimmer pp.251-252; Fine Bird Books p.77; Nissen IVB 371; Wood p.364.

Five volumes, large folio (540 x 360mm). 448 fine hand-colored lithographic plates, 68 by Edward Lear, the rest by Elizabeth Gould after her husband's sketches, printed by Charles Hullmandel (contents generally clean with just a scattered few marginal spots and very pale toning and/or very pale offsetting; in vol. 1, from pls 29-35 there are small tears and creasing from impact to lower paper edge; tiny paper adhesions on pls 28, 219, and 374; vol. 3 with some mostly marginal foxing but affecting about images in about 10 plates; offsetting more prominent on pls. 158, 170, 189, and 212 in vol. 3; finger-soiling or light spots to pls 37, 50, 123, 225, and 404; marginal stain on pls. 194-195 Contemporary half green morocco gilt by Rivière, all edges gilt (spines and corners well-worn, upper hinges cracked, vol. 5 upper cover about half detached and with some old tape repair to joint, vol. 1 front free endpaper and first few leaves working loose including with a tear at title-page gutter). Provenance: Thomas Rous (gift inscription to his brother in vol. 1, referencing all five volumes and dated 30 May 1841) – H.T. Rous (gift inscription in vol. 1, ownership inscriptions in vols 2-5 each dated 30 May 1841).
Artist:John Gould (1804 - 1881)
Place of origin:England
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.06.2024 – 27.06.2024
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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