[Natural History] [Cuvier, Georges] Wilson, Alexander: American Ornithology; or, the Natural History of the Birds of the United States...

From the Library of French Zoologist Georges Cuvier, the “Founding Father of Paleontology”

Wilson, Alexander
American Ornithology; or, the Natural History of the Birds of the United States...
Philadelphia: Published by Bradford and Inskeep, 1808-14. In nine volumes. First edition, first issue (one of only 200 copies). Folio. iv, 158, (2); 167; 120; 100; 122; xx, (13)-102; 132; 146; 133, (1), (14), (8, list of subscribers) pp. From the library of French zoologist Georges Cuvier, and with his library stamp on title-page of each volume. Illustrated with 76 hand-colored engraved plates, all after Wilson and likely colored by him; heightened with gum arabic. Contemporary three-quarter red straight-grain morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, stamped in gilt, Vol. IV rebound to style, extremities and boards variously rubbed and lightly worn; all edges trimmed; ink stamp of the “Museum d'Histoire Naturelle” on title-pages, and ink stamp “Bibliotheque du Museum Cession Autorisee” on same; generally moderate foxing to plates, heavier in Vol. IV; offsetting from plates on text; light to moderate foxing to text; front free endpaper loose in first volume. Anker 533; Bennett, p. 114; Sabin 104597; Sitwell, Fine Bird Books, p. 155; Wood, p. 630; Zimmer, pp. 679-680

A fine association copy of Alexander Wilson's American Ornithology, the most important ornithological work before Audubon, and the "first American Bird Book with coloured plates, published in America" (Sitwell). From the library of influential French zoologist, George Cuvier (1769-1832).

Georges Cuvier was a major figure in the world of 19th century natural sciences, and is credited with establishing the fields of vertebrate paleontology and comparative anatomy, while making significant contributions to zoological taxonomy and the history of science. Considered one of the scientific giants of his age, Cuvier held several prominent positions within the French scientific establishment, most notably as professor of anatomy at the Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle. Among his many scientific accomplishments, Cuvier established that the extinction of animal species to be fact, and correctly connected one of extinction's causes to environmental catastrophe. Furthermore, he discovered and named the Mastodon and the prehistoric giant sloth Megatherium, while expanding Linnaean taxonomy by including fossils. Cuvier worked and lived at the Museum for most of his life, where he reorganized the Museum's vast anatomy collections under his novel classification schema, and conducted research that resulted in his seminal work, Le Règne Animal (1817).

Wilson's work was one of the most comprehensive illustrated works on ornithology at the time of its publication, featuring 76 finely engraved plates depicting 320 birds from 278 different species. Of these, 56 had never before been illustrated. Wilson hand-colored many of the sets himself, as during the work's long period of publication, it served as his only source of income. In the preface to Vol. IV, it states, “The correct execution of the plates will be rendered more secure, by the constant superintendence of the Author; and by the whole of the coloring being performed in his own room, under his immediate supervision.” Notably, this work is among the earliest publications to be entirely produced in America, from the paper, printing, type, engraving, etc. Upon Wilson's death from dysentery in 1813, the final two volumes were edited and seen to completion by his friend, George Ord, later president of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences.

The first volume is the very rare first issue, of which only 200 copies were printed. The remaining eight volumes are similarly first editions, first issues. In total only 500 sets of this first edition were ever produced, and due to the lengthy publication period, few sets are found complete.