John Latham

A General Synopsis of Birds. 3 volumes in 6 books. [Together with:] Supplement to the General Synopsis of Birds. 1 vol. [4 in 7].

London: Leigh & Sotheby. Edition: First Edition., Binding: Contemporary half green morocco over marbled paper boards. Blind rules on morocco edges. Spine with 5 raised bands, gilt rules, gilt lettering in compartments 2 and 4. All edges red. Green pasted and free endpapers., Notes: [General Synopsis vol I]: 1781-2, London, Benj. White; [General Synopsis vols II – III, and Supplement]: 1783-7.
John Latham (1740 – 1837) was an English physician, naturalist, and author, known as the “grandfather” of Australian ornithology. His main works were A General Synopsis of Birds (1781–1801) and General History of Birds (1821–1828). He named some of Australia's most famous birds, including the emu, Australian magpie, and others. , Size: Quarto., Illustration: A fine example of Latham’s prolific study of birds. 4 volumes bound in 7 quartos in uniform binding. Pagination continuous throughout each volume. With 119 finely hand-coloured plates by Latham: volumes I-III with 106 engravings in addition to 6 title vignettes; supplement with 13 engravings, plus 1 title vignette. , Provenance: Ex-Libris Gardner S. Chapin; book labels on pasted endpapers., Category: Book Natural History; Book Plate Books Colour;. Light rubbing to extremities. Interiors bright and crisp. Occasional spotting. Item #B6872

Price: $6,500.00