About this Item
The first of two of Gould's portrayals of the species of kangaroos, first sighted by Captain Cook in 1770. In this monograph, Gould depicted these exotic, swift creatures in the Australian landscape, with a precision and affection that amazed his European audience. He went on to publish a larger "Mammals of Australia", which was issued through1863. In that work, 15 of the plates were completely redrawn. This copy is bound in two parts, as issued, in it's original folio bindings, with printed paper over boards and half cloth spines. Within are 30 fine hand colored lithographs after Gould and H.C. Richter, printed by Hullmandel. It was priced at Three Guineas. The work was published without title pages, preliminaries or index, although the names of the species/ plates are listed on the original printed papered boards. This copy has the text leaf for "Osphranter robustus" (Black Walleroo) for which there is no corresponding plate. It includes an errata slip stating "The discovery of a fine species of Kangaroo from the north coast of Australia nearly allied to the Petrogale Robusta of Part I., having induced the Author to form these two animals into a separate genus, to which he has applied the name of Osphranter, the page of letter-press here given, entitled Osphranter Robusta, is to be substituted when the work is bound for that published in Part I. as Petrogale Robusta, which is to be cancelled." Gould also published the massive work on the "Birds of Australia", the equivalent of Audubon in the United States and the Gould League in Australia honors John and Elizabeth Gould's contributions to the ornithology of Australia. In Australia, Gould was the collector or purchaser of the specimens and the taxonomist. Back in England, he was the publisher, the agent, and the distributor of the parts or volumes. His wife Elizabeth was his first artist. (Gordon C. Sauer for DNB). Nissen ZBI 1662; Wood, p 365; Ferguson 3197; Sauer 11. Folio, 22 1/2 x 15 1/4". Brilliantly colored plates. Original printed paper over boards, brown decorated cloth binding, perfect bound. Vol. 1 becoming loose in binding. A little occasional spotting, mostly in the margins of the plates, but a couple In Vol. 1 with foxing within the plates and accompanying text. Some slight marking on the tan papered boards, spines a bit faded, one ruffled, corners rubbed. Housed in a large custom solander box. A very good copy in the original boards, with very brightly colored plates.
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