Sale: 348 / Rare Books, Nov. 17./18. 2008 in Hamburg Lot 365

 
Thomas Bewick - British Land Birds. 1800


365
Thomas Bewick
British Land Birds. 1800
Estimate:
€ 500 / $ 540
Sold:
€ 528 / $ 570

(incl. surcharge)
Bewick, T., Figures of British land birds. To which are added, a few foreign birds, with their vulgar and scientific names. Plate vol. With woodcut title vignette and 249 woodcuts in the text. Newcastle, Hodgson for Beilby & Bewick 1800. Contemp. calf with rich gilt spine, gilt- and blindstamped cover border, inside gilt border and gilt edges. Large 8vo. 2 non-numb. ll., 133 numb. ll., 1 non-numb. l.
Nissen IVB 96. - Mullens/Swann p. 64. - Anker p. 35. - First edition, this one just with plates. - Bewick (1753-1828) revolutionized the technique of wood engravings at the end of the 18th century. He made drawings of live birds of the collection Marmaduke Tunstall for this work. "Bewick had great influence on the stimulation of interest in ornithology in Great Britain...it is primarily the fine woodcuts with which Bewick illustrated the work that explain its wide circulation and popularity" (Anker). - Slightly foxed in places, few pp. slightly waterstained. Edges rubbed. -




365
Thomas Bewick
British Land Birds. 1800
Estimate:
€ 500 / $ 540
Sold:
€ 528 / $ 570

(incl. surcharge)