297

Lionel Walter Rothschild (1868-1937)

The Avifauna of Laysan and the Neighboring Islands: with a Complete History to Date of the Birds of the Hawaiian Possessions.

London: R.H. Porter, 1893-1900.
First edition, limited issue, two folio volumes; complete with 55 hand-colored lithographs and 8 monochrome plates by and after J.G. Keulemans and F.W. Frohawk, as well as 20 collotypes from photographs; bound in three quarter red morocco, marbled endpapers, gilt-lettered spines (without the original wrappers bound in; scattered spots, occasional foxing to vol I., rare thumbmarks in both vols; spines and areas of front board on vol. II sunned, joints cracked and very tender on vol. II., some decay to leather at edges); 14 5/8 x 10 ¾ in. 

This landmark monograph was one of the earliest illustrated works to document the birds of Hawaii. At the age of 23, Rothschild hired sailor Henry Palmer to travel to what were then known as the Sandwich Islands. His mission: collect as many bird specimens as possible. Palmer spent over two years there, primarily working in Laysan, an archipelago in the Northwestern Leeward Islands. He sent back in excess of 2,000 species, more than a dozen of which were previously unknown to Western ornithologists. The specimens form the basis of the present work, illustrated in brilliant hues by Keulemans, one of the most accomplished bird painters of the period. The work was originally issued in three parts, bound in publisher's wrappers, and limited to only 250 copies. Many, as true of the present copy, were bound together in two volumes. 

Ayer/Zimmer 532; Fine Bird Books, p. 135.

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    Grace Meschery-McCormack, Cataloguer: [email protected]


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