British Oology; being Illustrations of the Eggs of British Birds. Vol. I-II

Description:

First edition, including Supplement. Very scarce. Originally published in 37 parts between 1831 and 1838 (155 hand-coloured plates with descriptive letterpress), together with the additional 14 plates and descriptive text issued as a supplement in 1842. Bound in systematic order. Illustrated by fine hand-coloured, lithographic plates by the author, printed by Day & Haghe. This work was described by Mullens & Swann (1917) as, 'still a standard work and esteemed for the exactness of the figures'.

Mullens & Swann, p. 294; Nissen IVB, 442.

William Chapman Hewitson (1806-1878), was a land-surveyor, but on inheriting a large fortune, he left work and dedicated himself to the study of natural history, particularly Lepidoptera and birds' eggs. He published a number of important works, including Illustrations of Exotic Butterflies (1852-1877), and also became an accomplished illustrator.

Condition

2 vols, 8vo, cont. green half morocco, rubbed, a few scuffs, raised bands, gilt rules and titles to spines, marbled endpapers and edges. Occasional light foxing. A few plates with common names neatly added in pencil and very occasional annotation to text. An interesting signed manuscript letter from the author is tipped in at the front of Vol. I, in which he discusses the first two editions of this work. A press cutting from The Times, Feb. 23, 1894, concerning the sale, at Stevens auction rooms, of an egg of the Great Auk, formerly belonging to William Yarrell, and which sold for 300 guineas, is tipped in facing the relevant plate. Very good. Original subscriber's copy, Henry L'Estrange Styleman Le Strange, Hunstanton Hall, Norfolk, with small ink stamp of Hunstanton Hall to flyleaves. A 14-page manuscript 'Index to the English Names of the Birds' to the rear of Vol. II has a pencil annotation stating, 'Written by my father H.L. Styleman le Strange.'