Beschreibung:

AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES Ornithological Biography, or an Account of the Habits of the Birds of the United States of America; accompanied by descriptions of the objects represented in the work entitled The Birds of America. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, 1831-49 [ie., 1831-39]. 5 vols., 8vo, contemporary half green morocco, broken, worn and stained . FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY FROM THE AUTHOR, written in collaboration with William MacGillivray, half-titles, wood-engravings; printed U.S. copyright notice pasted down on vol. 3 half-title, 16-page prospectus for the Birds of America , dated 1831, listing 100 plates and 180 subscribers (Fries edition E) bound in at end of vol. 1. Fries pp. 47-55; Sabin 2366. Provenance : 1) Autograph signed presentation inscription from Audubon to J. Prescott Hall, dated New York, 4 April 1844, on vol. 1 half-title. 2) Full-page inscription by Hall on vol. 1 flyleaf relating to the sales of the Birds of America , as described to him by Audubon. 3-4) S. Francis, bookseller (purchased after Hall's death in 1862) who sold it to H.H. Ward: inscription in vol. 1 dated 4 Nov. 1865. 5) John P. Jepson, sale, 10 June 1907, news clipping from 9 June 1907 New York Times in vol. 1, purchased by 6) J. Ackermann Coles, bookplates, inscriptions and ink-stamp. 4-page ALS from Ruthven Deane to Coles, 22 June, 1907, loosely inserted. Donated by Coles to 7) The Newark Public Library, ink shelf marks. 8) West China Union University Libraries, call slips (due dates in the 1930s). 9) Evan Morton Evans, bookplates (sale, Parke-Bernet, 6 December 1955, lot 26). 10) The present owner. (5)