A History of British Birds

The two volume first edition of Thomas Bewick's celebrated work of ornithology and natural history. The two volume first edition of this work.With volume I published in 1797 and examining land birds, and volume II published in 1804 and examining water birds. Volume I is present in the first edition, being Roscoe 14d, with the advert to the final leaf being for the third edition of Quadrupeds. Volume I was issued simultaneously in four paper sizes. Volume II is also a first edition, Roscoe 17d.Illustrated throughout both volumes with engraved head and tail-pieces by Bewick.This work is admired for the beauty of Bewick's wood-engravings, which are widely considered his finest work, and among the finest in that medium.The text of volume I was the work of Ralph Beilby, with Bewick taking over in volume II.The vignette to volume I page 285 is here not censored and inked over, as sometimes found.A supplementary volume was later published in 1821, and is not present here.With the bookplate of Sir Warwick Morshead to the front pastedowns. With a partially present loosely inserted letter, dated 1903 and addressed to 'my dear Edith', and presenting her 'a first edition of Bewick's Birds with our best love for xmas'.Wordsworth praised Bewick with: 'Oh now that the genius of Bewick were mine, And the skill which he learned on the banks of the Tyne'. In full calf bindings. Rubbing to back strips, and rear joints. Front and rear joints of volume I starting and somewhat tender to the tails. Tails of volume II joints starting, but firmly held. Armorial bookplates to front pastedowns. Internally, firmly bound. Spotting to endpapers and first and last few leaves of each volume. Light worming to tail of pages 107-400 of volume II, not affecting text. Good.…