Beschreibung:

LORD, Thomas (d. 1796). Lord's Entire New System of Ornithology or Oecumenical History of British Birds. Under the correction and patronage of the Revd. Mr. Peters ... the writing corrected and embellish'd by the Revd. Dr. Dupree . London: T. Lord [1791-1796]. 2° (475 x 286mm). Engraved title with vignette of a song bird, 108 hand-coloured engraved plates only (of 114) by and after Lord. (Lacking the final 6 plates and accompanying text, title thumb-soiled and with slight nick at bottom margin, plates 39 and 46 browned at margins, plates 53, 78 and 108 with slight marginal tears, some light browning and occasional marginal tears to text.) Early 19th-century tan morocco and marbled boards, spine gilt, matching marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, others uncut (spine lightly rubbed at head and foot). Thomas Lord was a protegé of the Rev. Matthew William Peters R.A., chaplain to the Prince of Wales, and his descriptive text was revised by another clergyman, Dr. Dupree, master of Berkhampstead Grammar School. The work was issued in 38 parts, each containing 3 plates and 3 letterpress sheets, but is seldom found complete. This copy lacks plates 109-114, forming the final two parts. The numbering of plates 58-60 and 79-81 has been corrected. Many of the plates, said in the introduction to be 'as large as life, and copied with a minute and scrupulous accuracy from the original paintings executed by the author,' include the nests and eggs of the birds figured, and if not always accurate possess great charm. Fine Bird Books p. 91; Mullens and Swann p. 358; Nissen IVB 572; Wood p. 441 ('an extremely scarce but scientifically unreliable work').