London, published by E. Lear, 1832
A masterpiece of bird illustration. Lear's first publication, Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots was published in an edition of 175 copies, intended for sale to subscribers. This was the first time that an illustrated ornithological work was entirely devoted to one family of birds, and was the first book of lithographed plates of birds published in England in folio format.
Lear had started painting parrots in 1830 when he was 18 years old, and many of the sketches for this work were made from parrots in the Zoological Society's Gardens at Regent's Park where he was employed as an 'ornithological artist', whilst others still were done from parrots in private collections (he worked for the Earl of Derby from 1832 to 1836). Once the sketches were completed, Lear transferred the designs to lithographic stones which were then printed off by Hullmandel, coloured by hand, and sent to the subscribers.
Only 12 of the intended 14 parts were issued, with 42 plates, as Lear ran out of funds - the venture having proved to be unprofitable. He only managed to sell 125 subscriptions, and not all his subscribers actually paid what they owed and so he was force to work for John Gould from 1832 to 1837 to help fund the publication. During his time with Gould he illustrated the five-part Birds of Europe and taught lithography to Gould's wife, Elizabeth. Even after this period of employment, Lear still owed money for Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, and in March 1833 he sold the remaining 50 copies and the rights to the plates to Gould for £50.
First edition, one of 175 copies; folio, 42 hand-coloured lithographed plates by and after Lear, heightened with gum arabic, complete with list of subscribers, dedication leaf, and plate list, short tear to bottom edge of plate 6 touching a couple of letters professionally repaired, light toning to edges, very occasional light soiling, soft crease to title, fine modern green calf gilt by Weitz-Coleman, New York, with large multi-colour onlay of the red and yellow macaw after plate 7 to upper cover, green cloth clamshell case, a very good copy in a striking binding.
Anker 283; Fine Bird Books, p. 87; McGill/Wood 429; Sitwell p 101; Nissen IVB, 536; Wikipedia; Zimmer 380
Lear had started painting parrots in 1830 when he was 18 years old, and many of the sketches for this work were made from parrots in the Zoological Society's Gardens at Regent's Park where he was employed as an 'ornithological artist', whilst others still were done from parrots in private collections (he worked for the Earl of Derby from 1832 to 1836). Once the sketches were completed, Lear transferred the designs to lithographic stones which were then printed off by Hullmandel, coloured by hand, and sent to the subscribers.
Only 12 of the intended 14 parts were issued, with 42 plates, as Lear ran out of funds - the venture having proved to be unprofitable. He only managed to sell 125 subscriptions, and not all his subscribers actually paid what they owed and so he was force to work for John Gould from 1832 to 1837 to help fund the publication. During his time with Gould he illustrated the five-part Birds of Europe and taught lithography to Gould's wife, Elizabeth. Even after this period of employment, Lear still owed money for Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, and in March 1833 he sold the remaining 50 copies and the rights to the plates to Gould for £50.
First edition, one of 175 copies; folio, 42 hand-coloured lithographed plates by and after Lear, heightened with gum arabic, complete with list of subscribers, dedication leaf, and plate list, short tear to bottom edge of plate 6 touching a couple of letters professionally repaired, light toning to edges, very occasional light soiling, soft crease to title, fine modern green calf gilt by Weitz-Coleman, New York, with large multi-colour onlay of the red and yellow macaw after plate 7 to upper cover, green cloth clamshell case, a very good copy in a striking binding.
Anker 283; Fine Bird Books, p. 87; McGill/Wood 429; Sitwell p 101; Nissen IVB, 536; Wikipedia; Zimmer 380
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