René-Primevère Lesson | Histoire naturelle des oiseaux de paradis, et des epimaques, Paris, 1835
Auction Closed
November 29, 03:25 PM GTNN
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
René Primevère Lesson
Histoire naturelle des oiseaux de paradis, et des épimaques. Paris: Arthus Bertrand, 1835
8vo (234 x 146mm.), 43 hand-finished colour printed plates after P.-L. Oudert and J.-G. Prêtre by Oudet, Schmeltz, Massard, and others, contemporary burgundy roan, marbled edges, marbled endpapers, plate 34 with closed tear at inner margin, folding plates with some creasing along folds, some light spotting, joints splitting, extremities rubbed
"A classic monograph, published in livraisons, on the Birds of Paradise" (McGill/Wood), based on the author's field observations.
Originally a ship's surgeon, Lesson (1794-1849) became involved with pharmacy and natural history and served on Louis Isidore Duperrey's famed round-the-world voyage, La Coquille, from 1822 to 1825. On this trip, he became the first naturalist to see birds of paradise in situ. He went on produce several books on ornithology, zoology, herpetology as well as monographs on hummingbirds and birds of paradise. His brother, Pierre Adolphe Lesson (1805-1888), participated in the Astrolabe expedition under the command of Jules Dumont d'Urville.
LITERATURE:
Anker 296; Fine Bird Books, p. 90; Nissen VBI 550; McGill/Wood, p. 433; Zimmer, p. 390
PROVENANCE:
"Francis Journeaux, August 14th 1850", ink ownership inscription and blindstamp to front free endpaper
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