Parrots in Captivity... With Notes on Several Species by the Hon. and Rev. F.G. Dutton. [3 vols. bound as 2]

Publication details: George Bell and Sons,1884-87

Rare Book

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Bookseller Notes

A perfect marriage between one of the greatest colour printers of the nineteenth century, Benjamin Fawcett, whose pioneering system of engraving and colour printing from multiple blocks created extraordinarily vivid results, and a subject worthy of his craftsmanship. Greene's account of the habits of 81 varieties of cockatoos, parrots, lories, parakeets etc. (the first two volumes issued in 18 parts between 1883 and 1884), was, in his own words, an 'attempt in the direction of familiarizing the public with a most delightful class of birds', essentially the first dedicated reference work for parrot keepers.

Description

FIRST EDITIONS, 81 plates printed in colour from woodblocks by Benjamin Fawcett after drawings by A.F. Lydon, in many cases finished by hand, some illustrations heightened with gum arabic, all with tissue-guards, first vol. with occasional spotting at plate edges, pp. x, 1-50, 50**-144, 27 plates; xiv, 114, 27 plates; viii, 114, 27 plates; 8vo, vol. 3, contemporary half olive green roan, marbled boards, spine with gilt-lettered green labels and decorated gilt panels between raised bands, gold edges, board edges rubbed, restoration at head of spine, vols 1&2, matching modern binding, olive green morocco with marbled boards, gilt-lettered spine with decorated gilt panels, slight abrasion at edge of rear board, very good

Bibliography: (Nissen IVB 393; Mullens & Swann p.252; Wood p.363; Zimmer p.274)