Beschreibung:

AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES and Rev. JOHN BACHMAN. The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. New York: J. J. Audubon, 1845-46-48. 3 vols., atlas folio, 687 x 543mm. (27 x 21 3/8 in.), original blue morocco gilt, turn-ins gilt, g.e., spines, joints and extremities rubbed, some chipping to extremities of spines of vols. 1 and 2, vol. 2 joints starting, vol. 3 rebacked with original spine laid down, 6-inch marginal repair to plate 59, plates 87 and 98 each with a 1-inch marginal tear, slight soft creases to corners of plates 101 and 102, vertical creases to title of vol. 3 and contents leaves of vols. 1 and 2, all preliminary text leaves marginally foxed, occasional very minor marginal soiling . FIRST EDITION, 150 finely colored lithographed plates after John James and John Woodhouse Audubon the backgrounds after Victor Audubon, by J. T. Bowen, 3 lithographic title-pages and 3 leaves of letterpress contents. Bennett p. 5; Wood p. 208; Nissen ZBI 162. A FINE COPY WITH BRILLIANT COLORING, as is usual with the earlier issues bound in three volumes. The book was also bound up in two volumes, often without the title-page for vol. 3. The two-volume sets were probably a later issue, since their coloring is generally less vivid than in the three-volume issue, as above. Provenance : 1. Jacob Little (an early president of the New York Stock Exchange), the original subscriber. 2. Given to his son, William McCarty Little: inscription on front free endpaper of vol. 1, "To Wm. McCarty Little from his Papa". 3. Bequeathed to McCarty Little's daughter Augusta McCarty Little Norman (Mrs. Reginald Norman). 4. Inherited by her nephews and adopted sons Edward Boit and Rear Admiral Julian McCarty Boit. 5. Donated by E. and J. Boit to the Redwood Library in 1971 (Redwood Library bookplates in each vol.), in honor of their grandfather William McCarty Little. (3)