Jardine Naturalist's Library Birds Great Britain 1876
4 Book Set
JAB1 $850
Sir William Jardine of Scotland was famous for the Naturalist's Library, an extensive work of 40 volumes covering birds, animals, fish, reptiles and insects.. Here we offer the 4 volume set of the Birds of Great Britain and Ireland.
Each volume measures 6 1/2 inches by 4 inches closed with the prints a little smaller. The set has been decoratively bound in red calf with gold trim and a the spine is decorated with gold letters and patterns, somewhat rubbed with a small part of the text on volume 4 missing. The end papers are red patterned marbled paper as are all edges.
The bindings are in good condition with a little scuffing and wear and still tight internally. There are 125 bird prints, 4 prints of notables, including Alexander Wilson, and 4 decorative title pages. The prints and text are in good condition n lightly toned paper with little foxing.
Interesting, all 4 volumes bear the book plate of Antoinette Quinby Scudder, a famous American woman who started the Paper Mill Playhouse in 1939. She was an artist, playwright and president of the playhouse.
