A Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans [Deluxe Elephant Folio Facsimile in Fine Half-Leather]

Deluxe limited edition facsimile of the definitive 1854 second edition held in the Libraries of the British Museum (Natural History). Elephant folio (approx. 540mm x 370mm). 26 pp. text, list of plates, followed by a monumental suite of 52 vibrant, full-page colour plates with accompanying descriptive text, plus one black-and-white anatomical plate. Unlike standard modern reproductions, Hill House prepared these exact facsimiles directly from the British Museum originals without the use of a camera, utilising specialized 5 and 6-colour offset printing presses on heavy 130gsm matte art paper. The plates faithfully carry every magnificent nuance, brushstroke, and historical library stamp of the pristine original specimen. John Gould remains the undisputed master of 19th-century avian illustration, and this colossal volume brings his toucans to life with breathtaking fidelity. Prospectus & Variant Note: This exceptional copy includes the rare, original 6-page fold-out publisher’s prospectus inserted. The prospectus notes that this monumental work was originally offered by Hill House in either a standard modern cloth binding or as a premium set of unbound sheets for private collectors and master bookbinders. This copy represents the deluxe unbound sheets option, bypassing the trade cloth limitation page to receive a magnificent, bespoke library dressing. Beautifully and substantially bound in an elegant, contemporary half brown leather over vibrant marbled paper boards. The spine features five raised bands forming six compartments, elaborately decorated with hand-tooled gilt decorative bands and bright, crisp gilt titles. The custom binding is in Near Fine condition—tight, square, and structurally immaculate with magnificent library shelf presence. Internally, all text pages, the prospectus, and the 52 plates are likewise in Near Fine condition; exceptionally clean, white, and crisp. A truly complete, unique, and premier example of modern ornithological fine press work. This a very heavy over sized book and may cost more postage overseas.…