The Quadrupeds of North America
New York: Audubon, V.G., 1854. 1st Octavo Edition. Royal Octavo. Near Fine. Item #17936
A marvelous 1854 partial 1st Octavo Edition set of Audubon's iconic masterpiece, in a contemporary Fine Binding.
Three volumes, complete with 155 hand-colored stone lithographs by William E. Hitchcock, printed and colored in the Philadelphia shop of J.T. Bowen. Volumes I and II are 1854 early printings, while volume III is an 1854 1st Edition.
Later three-quarter green levant morocco with titling and ruling in gilt. Spines aged to a rich golden brown. Raised bands to spine. All edges gilt. Square tight bindings. Clean interiors, save for the bookplate of early 20th-century Proctor and Gamble executive Stockton Buzby to the front pastedown.
Volume I - viii, 383pp, 50 plates; Volume II - 334pp, 50 plates; Volume III - 348pp, 55 plates.
Bound without tissue guards. Interior clean and bright with just a hint of sporadic foxing. Unobtrusive, minor offsetting opposite the lithographs. All hinges sound.
"Quadrupeds" was first published in three elephant folio volumes 1845 -1848, with 150 color plates. The first octavo edition was bound together from original parts, issued similarly to his octavo edition of 'Birds of America', a wildly successful edition, more portable and affordable than the elephant folio version. The Octavo edition features all original 150 plates, plus five of 6 supplemental plates issued separately in 1854.
Overall an exquisite set of exceptional quality.
Price: $17,000.00