Bernard J Shapero : Rare Books

DRESSER, H[enry], E[eles].

Eggs of the birds of Europe including all the species inhabiting the western Palaearctic area.

For the Author, London 1905-1910. First edition. 2 volumes, 4to, (33 x 27 cms), 837pp., 106 coloured plates, original green wrappers bound in at rear of vol ii, several black and white illustrations in vol I. bookplate of John Elliot Thayer, ALS from Dresser to Thayer dated April 12, 1910, later red half morocco gilt, marbled boards, raised bands, extremities worn and rubbed, diagonal scratch on upper cover of vol ii (6 x 2 cm) , top edges gilt, a very good copy.

This book was originally published in 24 parts from 1905-1910 and this copy has the grey wrappers bound in from Aug 1905-Nov 1910). The work provides detailed information of the nesting habits and breeding ranges ofmany European birds. There is a letter from the author addressed to John Thayer who lived in Lancaster, Massachusetts and built an extensive bird collection himself. He also sponsored many expeditions to exotic locations though he himself never ventured outside Massachusetts. Thayer's extensive and remarkable bird collection was opened to the public and after his death in 1933 eventually housed at Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology. Nissen 268; Zimmer p.179

Price: £ 2250
US Dollar Price: $ 4470
Stock Number: 56464