3 volumes, 8vo (267 x 179 mm). Half-titles in vols. I and III (lacking in vol. II), 155 hand-colored lithographed plates by W.E. Hitchcock and R. Trembly after original drawings by John James Audubon and John Wodehouse Audubon (some very light spotting throughout.) Early 20th century morocco, spines in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, gilt-lettering in 2, top edges gilt, all others uncut, stamp-signed by Zaehnsdorf; original printed wrappers bound at the end of each volume (covers detached but present, rubbing, toning). Provenance: Thomas H. Russell (original subscriber, partially printed note pasted into vol.1, Boston, 1 May 1851, paying J.J. Audubon "For No. 10...'Quadrupeds'...$1"); Valentine Hollingsworth (morocco book label).

ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBER'S COPY OF THE FIRST OCTAVO EDITION. Issued in response to the success of the octavo edition of The Birds of America, the first octavo edition of the Quadrupeds was published shortly after the publication of the first imperial folio edition of 1845 and 1848. In addition to the 150 plates present in the 3 imperial folio volumes, the first octavo edition includes 5 additional plates and the text from the 1854 supplement, with all the plates reduced by Audubon's sons using a camera lucida. John Woodhouse Audubon claimed credit for 18 paintings previously attributed to his father in the imperial folio edition. Bennett, p.5; Nissen ZBI 163; Sabin 2638; Stamped with a National Character, 8.