Beschreibung:

CASSIN, John (1813-69). Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America. Intended to contain Descriptions and Figures of All North American Birds Not Given by Former American Authors, and a General Synopsis of North American Ornithology . Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., [1853]-56. 8 o. 50 hand-colored lithographic plates by William E. Hitchcock, some after George G. White, all printed and hand-colored by J.T. Bowen of Philadelphia. (Occasional minor marginal soiling, otherwise a very fine copy.) Contemporary (publisher's?) brown half morocco gilt (a little rubbed). FIRST EDITION of this rare and important work, a supplement to Audubon, one of the cornerstones of American ornithological literature. Cassin's work, first published in parts between July 1853 and June 1855 (with a title-page issued in 1856), was intended to complement the octavo edition of Audubon's work. The annexation of Texas and the addition of California and New Mexico to the United States had led to increased exploration and research in the South West. "At first the Audubons were receptive...however, Cassin wanted shared credit on the title page and a free hand in correcting the errors of nomenclature of the elder Audubon, a touchy point with the sons. In the end, Cassin went on his own, although clearly following the Audubon format and also using J.T. Bowen as lithographer" (Reese). VERY RARE: according to American Book Prices Current only one copy has appeared at auction in at least thirty years. Anker 92; Bennett p.21; Fine Bird Books (1990) p.85; Nissen IVB 173; Reese, American Color Plate Books 42; Ripley p.54; Wood p.281; Zimmer, p.124-25.