Estimate: | £200 - £300 |
Hammer price: | £280 |
BREE, Charles Robert (1811-86). A History of the Birds of Europe, not Observed in the British Isles. London: Groombridge and Sons, 1863-64. 4 volumes, large 8vo (252 x 160mm). 238 chromoxylographed plates by Benjamin Fawcett (one text leaf torn without loss in vol. one, occasional light spotting and staining). Original red pictorial cloth gilt, partly unopened (spines faded, corners lightly bumped). Provenance: Charles J. H. Wheatley (armorial bookplate). FIRST EDITION. Anker 59: "The matter is arranged in the manner according to Temminck. The generic characters are given, the synonymy, specific characters, description of the various plumages, and information about the geographical distribution and habits being briefly stated under the individual forms"; Nissen BBI 136; Sitwell Great Bird Books 81; Wood p.254; Zimmer 87-88. (4)