Books and Manuscripts

A Large Selection of 111 Plates From Eadweard Muybridge's Groundbreaking Photographic Study, "Animal Locomotion"

Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 1887. Large folio, 20 x 14 in. (508 x 356 mm). Illustrated with 111 colortype plates, each printed on a two-tone leaf, with letterpress title, plate number, copyright, and date in the margin. Contemporary full brown morocco, stamped in blind and in gilt, rebacked, beveled edges, original spine label laid down, extremities and boards rubbed, scratched, and worn; all edges gilt; marbled endpapers; by Hayday & Co.; four-inch closed tear in front free endpaper; gift inscription on front blank; bottom center edge of plate 948 worn and slightly chipped; small spot at bottom left edge of plates 197, 206, and 207 (appearing consecutively); small patch of dampstaining in top gutter of nine plates at front (plates 745, 744, 740, 736, 734, 733, 729, 721, 720, appearing consecutively); scattered minor thumb-soiling in margins and versos of plates.

A large and impressive collection of 111 plates from pioneering photographer Eadweard Muybridge's groundbreaking work Animal Locomotion. The present collection includes a diverse range of images depicting men, women, and children, performing a variety of movements, activities, and physical tasks, including jumping, wrestling, boxing, walking, running, fencing, somersaulting, climbing, sitting, and dancing. The collection also depicts some 20 varieties of animals, including horses, buffalo, elephants, camels, goats, dogs, birds, tigers, lions, kangaroos, and eagles, including 19 plates of men and children riding and jumping horses.

Muybridge created his Animal Locomotion photographs after partnering with the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia publisher J.B. Lippincott in the mid-1880s, and was given a $5,000 stipend and a studio at 36th and Pine Streets in West Philadelphia. From 1883-86 he and his team created over 100,000 photographs recording human and animal movements, often recruiting students and teachers from the University, as well as animals from the University's veterinary school and the Philadelphia Zoo. Animal Locomotion was published in 1887 in a subscription-based portfolio, where for a then very costly $100 prospective buyers could choose 100 photos from a selection of over 700.

Includes plates (in order of appearance): 778 (Heron); 773 (Ostrich); 769 (Eagle); 759 (Parrot); 755 (Bird in flight); 753 (Kangaroo); 750 (Sloth); 749 (Baboon); 748 (Baboon); 745 (Raccoon); 744 (Raccoon); 740 (Camel); 736 (Camel); 734 (Elephant); 733 (Elephant); 729 (Tiger); 723 (Lion); 721 (Lion); 720 (Cat Running); 718 (Cat Trotting); 717 (Cat); 715 (Dogs tugging on cloth); 714 (Dog); 712 (Large dog running); 710 (Dog running); 707 (Dog); 705 (Dog); 700 (Buffalo running); 695 (Elk galloping); 693 (Elk galloping); 691 (Fallow deer, buck, and doe); 685 (Fallow deer, buck, and doe); 679 (Goat trotting); 675 (Pig trotting); 672 (Ox trotting); 669 (Ox walking); 665 (Boy riding mule); 664 (Man and mule); 661 (Man riding mule); 660 (Mule and horse in various performances); 659 (Mule, jumping and kicking); 648 (Four horses); 647 (Man riding horse); 646 (Man on horse jumping a hurdle); 644 (Man on horse jumping a hurdle); 643 (Man on horse jumping a hurdle); 637 (Man on horse jumping a hurdle); 631 (Man riding a galloping horse); 620 (Man riding a galloping horse); 617 (Man riding horse); 616 (Man riding horse); 615 (Man riding horse); 597 (Man riding horse); 592 (Man riding horse); 590 (Man riding horse); 589 (Man riding horse); 582 (Man riding horse); 577 (Man riding horse); 576 (Horse); 564 (Horse); 563 (Horse); 386 (Man using pickaxe); 44 (Man taking off hat); 49 (Man walking with cane and satchel); 59 (Man running); 60 (Man running); 152 (Man performing high-jump); 169 (Men playing leap frog); 319 (Man throwing medicine ball); 329 (Men boxing); 331 (Men boxing); 333 (Men boxing); 349 (Men fencing); 365 (Man performing gymnastic flip); 510 (Man performing contortions); 539 (Child walking on hands and feet); 35 (Woman carrying child); 465 (Child giving a bouquet of flowers to a woman); 466 (Woman and child); 469 (Child running); 481 (Child with doll); 538 (Child on chair); 56 (Woman in dress); 72 (Woman and child); 140 (Woman in dress with fan); 143 (Woman descending steps with cup and saucer); 156 (Woman leaping over a step stool); 181 (Woman stepping over a fence); 174 (Woman with a jump rope); 172 (Woman climbing over a trestle); 173 (Woman stepping up stairs); 197 (Couple dancing); 206 (Woman carrying a water jug); 207 (Woman in a long dress); 211 (Woman in a dress); 214 (Woman picking up a child); 216 (Woman with trestle and water pot); 234 (Woman emptying a water pot); 246 (Woman sitting with fan); 265 (Woman laying); 295 (Woman with a tennis racket); 297 (Woman with a tennis racket); 298 (Woman serving with a tennis racket); 306 (Woman picking up and throwing a ball); 404 (Woman emptying a water bucket); 423 (Woman putting on shoes); 458 (Woman picking up foliage); 461 (Woman opening an umbrella); 513 (Woman climbing on to a table); 268 (Woman raising herself from the ground); 167 (Children playing leap frog).