This beautiful monograph on Cranes was originally the project of the director of the Amsterdam Zoo, G.F. Westerman. However, his untimely death led to Blaauw taking over and finishing the work, writing the text and adding the Keulemans plates. The Leutemann plates were made from studies at the Amsterdam Zoological Garden, whereas the Keulemans plates were based on studies at the menagerie at the author's country estate 'Gooilust'.

The cranes' beauty and their spectacular mating dances have made them highly symbolic birds in many cultures with records dating back to ancient times. Greek and Roman myths often portrayed the dance of cranes as a love of joy and a celebration of life, and the crane was often associated with Apollo. Especially symbolic this bird is for Asia, where the crane is a symbol of happiness and eternal youth. In Japan, the crane is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise) and symbolizes good fortune and longevity because of its fabled life span of a thousand years.

'Fine, systematic treatise, beautifully illustrated' (Wood).

First edition, one of 170 copies; folio (47.5 x 38 cm), 22 coloured plates mounted on card, by Heinrich Leutemann (15) and J.G. Keulemans (7); original pictorial cloth gilt, slightly rubbed, light wear, a very good copy.

Anker p56; FBB p59; Nissen IVB, 105; Wood p242; Zimmer p59.