WYATT, C. W. (1842-1900). British Birds, London, 1894-99, 2 volumes bound in one, 4to, 67 fine hand-coloured lithographed plates by C. W. Wyatt (some very faint spotting and staining), contemporary green half morocco gilt (spine faded). FIRST EDITION.

WYATT, Claude Wilmot (1842-1900).  British Birds: Being Coloured Illustrations of all the Species of Passerine Birds Resident in the British Isles, with Some Notes in Reference to their Plumage [Volume II:]  British Birds: With Some Notes in Reference to their Plumage. London: William Wesley & Son, 1894-99. 2 volumes bound in one, 4to (322 x 270mm). 67 fine lithographed plates by Mintern Bros. after C. W. Wyatt, hand-coloured by "the Misses [Bowdler] Sharpe" (title to the first vol. lightly spotted and browned, some very faint mainly marginal spotting and staining to the plates). Contemporary green half morocco, the spine gilt in compartments, marbled endpapers (extremities rubbed, the spine faded, endpapers spotted). FIRST EDITION. "My thanks are due to the Misses Sharpe for the perfect way in which they have carried out the painting [i.e. hand-colouring of the plates] for me" (from Wyatt's Preface to the second vol.). Freeman 4170; Mullens & Swann p.667: "... probably the best 'working' book of illustrations ..."; Jackson Bird Illustrators: Some Artists in Early Lithography pp.100-102: "Wyatt's fine plates were enhanced by the work of Dr. R. B. Sharpe's daughters"; Nissen IVB 1027; Sitwell Fine Bird Books p.116; Wood p.638: "... fine hand-coloured plates ..."; Zimmer p.694.