20. GOULD, John (1804-1881). A Monograph of the Odontophorinae, or Partridges of America. London: Richard & John E. Taylor for the Author, [1844-]1850. Folio (558 x 380 mm). 1p. list of subscribers. 32 hand-colored lithographic plates after Gould and H. C. Richter. Modern light green morocco gilt, blind-tooled turn-ins (gilding to spine faded). Condition: marginal browning to plates and text, margins of text leaves somewhat brittle with resulting occasional small chips and tears, occasional light soiling. Provenance: Quentin Keynes (gift to his doctor).
first collected edition of gould’s fourth monograph which extended the recorded number of these charming birds from eleven to thirty-five. Gould was persuaded to undertake this project "by the sight of the beautiful Callipepla Californica … The graceful actions and elegant deportment of these birds inspired me with a desire to become thoroughly acquainted with the entire group of which they form a part; this desire was even strengthened by the details furnished to me by … David Douglas, respecting species seen by him in California, of the existence of which we had until then no idea” (Preface). Anker 176; Fine Bird Books (1990) p.102; Nissen IVB 376; Sauer 13; Wood p.365; Zimmer p. 257.
est. $10000 – £15000
Unsold