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First edition of this ornithological classic, Walter Lowry Buller's History of the Birds of New Zealand, with 36 chromolithographic plates, published in parts in London between 1872 and 1873.
First edition of this ornithological classic, Walter Lowry Buller's History of the Birds of New Zealand, with 36 chromolithographic plates, published in parts in London between 1872 and 1873.
First edition of this ornithological classic, Walter Lowry Buller's History of the Birds of New Zealand, with 36 chromolithographic plates, published in parts in London between 1872 and 1873.
First edition of this ornithological classic, Walter Lowry Buller's History of the Birds of New Zealand, with 36 chromolithographic plates, published in parts in London between 1872 and 1873.
First edition of this ornithological classic, Walter Lowry Buller's History of the Birds of New Zealand, with 36 chromolithographic plates, published in parts in London between 1872 and 1873.
First edition of this ornithological classic, Walter Lowry Buller's History of the Birds of New Zealand, with 36 chromolithographic plates, published in parts in London between 1872 and 1873.
First edition of this ornithological classic, Walter Lowry Buller's History of the Birds of New Zealand, with 36 chromolithographic plates, published in parts in London between 1872 and 1873.

BULLER, Walter Lawry.

A History of the Birds of New Zealand.

London, John van Voorst, [1872-]1873.

£2,500.00
£2,500.00

A History of the Birds of New Zealand.

94 New Bond Street

Available to collect, usually ready in 24 hours

94 New Bond Street
London W1S 1SJ
United Kingdom

+442074930876
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First edition of this 'New Zealand classic... the definitive images of its native birds' (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography).

Issued in four parts, A History of the Birds of New Zealand was 'limited to 500 copies which were sold by private subscription', and its success led Buller to immediately prepare an expanded second edition (Anker, Bird Books and Bird Art 85). This copy, from the library of prominent ornithologist William G. Hale, is in a handsome binding of recent green morocco.

Walter Lowry Buller (1838-1906) was a New Zealand magistrate who 'developed a childhood interest in natural history into a scientific avocation. With a confidence unusual in colonial scientists he set out to describe and name new species of birds himself rather than submitting them to the metropolitan authorities. His Essay on the Ornithology of New Zealand, written for the Dunedin Exhibition in 1865, established him as a local authority on the subject, and, after he sent copies to influential scientists in Britain and Europe, also brought him to wider attention... A History of the Birds of New Zealand (1872–3), illustrated by the ornithological artist J. G. Keulemans, was a fine bird book in the best style' (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography).

First edition; folio (31 x 24 cm); tinted lithographic frontispiece and 35 hand-coloured lithographs after J.G. Keulemans, extracts from reviews and ad for the supplement at rear, bookplate, a few small tape repairs to plates, particularly the frontispiece, contents lightly toned, occasional spits and marks; recent full green morocco, spine gilt in compartments, green morocco labels, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, a very good copy; 384 pp.

Anker, Bird Books and Bird Art 85; Nissen IVB, Die Illustrierten Vogelbücher 163.

Stock code 125001

DELIVERY & RETURNS

We accept returns within 30 days of purchase. Please note that all items must be returned in their original condition, including all tags and packaging. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
First edition of this ornithological classic, Walter Lowry Buller's History of the Birds of New Zealand, with 36 chromolithographic plates, published in parts in London between 1872 and 1873.

A History of the Birds of New Zealand.

£2,500.00
£2,500.00

Ask a question

Rare Books, Manuscripts and Prints

Second and preferred edition of the definitive work on New Zealand birds, Walter Lowry Buller's History fo teh Birds of New Zealand, in the publisher's deluxe red morocco.
Second and preferred edition of the definitive work on New Zealand birds, Walter Lowry Buller's History fo teh Birds of New Zealand, in the publisher's deluxe red morocco.

BULLER, Walter Lawry.
A History of the Birds of New Zealand. 1888.
£3,500.00

A History of British Birds.
A History of British Birds.

YARRELL, William.
A History of British Birds. 1843.
£850.00

The edition deluxe of Birds of Arabia by Meinerthagen, one of ten specially bound copies with a unique bird of prey design to the front cover.
The edition deluxe of Birds of Arabia by Meinerthagen, one of ten specially bound copies with a unique bird of prey design to the front cover.

MEINERTZHAGEN, Colonel R.
Birds of Arabia. 1980.
£5,000.00

Containing 40 finely coloured plates, mostly hand signed by Hayes himself.
Containing 40 finely coloured plates, mostly hand signed by Hayes himself.

HAYES, William.
Birds. [1773].
£16,500.00

An attractively bound second printing of the standard reference for Australian parrots, Alan Lendon's Australian Parrots in Field and Aviary.
An attractively bound second printing of the standard reference for Australian parrots, Alan Lendon's Australian Parrots in Field and Aviary.

LENDON, Alan.
Australian Parrots in Field and Aviary. 1976.
£100.00

A lovely set of Edward Donovan's Natural History of British Birds, all first editions save for volume V, in attractive contemporary bindings.
A lovely set of Edward Donovan's Natural History of British Birds, all first editions save for volume V, in attractive contemporary bindings.

DONOVAN, Edward.
The Natural History of British Birds; 1794-1820.
£7,500.00

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