Books and Manuscripts

Bonaparte, Charles Lucian, and John James Audubon, et al. 
American Ornithology; or, the Natural History of Birds Inhabiting the United States, Not Given by Wilson…
Philadelphia: Published by Samuel Augustus Mitchell (Vol. I)/Carey, Lea & Carey (Vols. II-III)/Carey & Lea (Vol. IV)/London: John Miller, 1825-33 (Vol. II-IV). In four volumes. First edition, first issue. Folio. vi, (ii), 105; vii, (iii), 95; (iv), 60; (iv), 142 pp. Illustrated with 27 hand-colored engraved plates, by Alexander Lawson after John James Audubon, Titian R. Peale, and Alexander Rider. Contemporary three-quarter red straight grain morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, stamped in gilt, skillfully rebacked with original spines laid down, boards and extremities lightly to moderately worn and rubbed; all edges trimmed; light to moderate foxing to text in Vol. II, moderate foxing and toning to plates in same; heavy foxing to text in Vol. III, light to moderate foxing and toning to plates in same; moderate to heavy foxing to text in Vol. IV, light to moderate foxing and toning to plates in same; creasing to front free endpaper and first blank in second volume; scattered offsetting from plates throughout set; top edge of pl. XXVII in Vol. IV partially shaved. Anker 47; Bennett 16; Sabin 6264; Sitwell, Fine Bird Books, p. 78; Wood 247; Zimmer, p. 64

First edition, first issue of this landmark ornithological work, containing the first book appearance of any engraving after John James Audubon. Authored by Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew, Charles Lucian Bonaparte, this important work is a continuation of Alexander Wilson's groundbreaking American Ornithology (see lot). Bonaparte's work describes 60 birds not mentioned in Wilson's work, including the Wild Turkey, the Burrowing Owl, and the Zenaida Dove.