History of the Birds of Europe: Not Observed in the British Isles

A very good complete set of Volumes I-IV in original cloth bindings, rebacked (not the original spines). Corners bumped and worn. Second Impression of the First Edition, all volumes dated 1863. Volume I, 60 engraved color plates: 44 of birds, 16 of eggs; Volume II, 60 engraved color plates: 45 of birds, 15 of eggs (3 of the egg plates have marginal damp stain); Volume III, 60 engraved color plates: 45 of birds, 15 of eggs; Volume IV, 60 engraved color plates: 46 of birds, 12 of eggs. The plates are bright and clean, protected by tissue guards. The engraved plates were printed by Benjamin Fawcett of Driffield. 'Fawcett was an extraordinary craftsman able to produce enormous numbers of high-quality wood engravings at very little cost . . . he developed a superb chromoxylography that can hardly be distinguished from hand-coloring.' Richard l. Soffer