Beschreibung:

ELLIOT, Daniel Giraud (1835-1915). A Monograph of the Phasianidae, or Family of the Pheasants . New York: Published by the Author, [1870]-1872. 2 volumes, 2 o (598 x 471 mm). 2pp. subscribers' list. 79 fine hand-colored lithographed plates after Joseph Wolf by J. Smit and J. G. Keulemans, printed by M. and N. Hanhart and P. W. M. Trap, colored by J. D. White., and 2 uncolored plates of generic characters by and after Smit (some occasional soft creasing, occasional light soiling and spotting, plate 11 in vol. I with small old tape repair). Contemporary green half morocco, spine gilt, edges gilt (rubbed and scuffed, covers of vol. I detached). Provenance : Marquis of Ripon (armorial bookplate). AN ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBER'S COPY OF THE MOST SPLENDID OF ELLIOT'S GREAT MONOGRAPHS. FIRST EDITION, issued in 6 parts between June 1870 and October 1872, and described by Sitwell as "the equal in every way to any work by Gould." The magnificent size and beautiful coloring of the plates after Joseph Wolf's charcoal drawings reflect the importance which Elliot attached to the Phasianidae . Of all the families in the ornithological system, he regarded it as the one most vital to the human race, "containing within it the species that afford food for thousands of mankind, and also those which are the original source of all the domestic poultry met with throughout the civilized world." He generously dedicated the work "To my friend Joseph Wolf " calling his "unrivalled talent ... its chief attraction." Ayer/Zimmer, p.206; Copenhagen/Anker 130; Fine Bird Books , p.74; McGill/Wood, p.331; Nissen IVB 295. (2)