Lot 617: WILSON, James (1795-1856). Illustrations of Zoology, being representations of new, rare, or

WILSON, James (1795-1856). Illustrations of Zoology, being representations of new, rare, or remarkable subjects of the animal kingdom, drawn and coloured after nature, with historical and descriptive details. Edinburgh & London: William Blackwood of Edinburgh and Thomas Cadell of London, [1827-]1831.

2° (411 x 324mm). 36 FINE HAND-COLOURED PLATES, 34 engraved by W.H. Lizars, 2 lithographed by [?]G. Graves, after Wilson (19), Lizars, A. Mosses, Patrick Syme and others. (Plates numbered IX and XXXIII slightly soiled at outer margin, plate XXXIV with small tear to lower blank margin, occasional light spotting.) Original drab thick paper wrappers, engraved title with vignette of the 'College Museum' on the upper covers (soiled, stitching of part VI broken). Red cloth box.

VERY SCARCE COMPLETE SET OF THE ORIGINAL PARTS OF THIS DELIGHTFUL WORK, with plates based on the natural history collections of the Museum of Edinburgh University. The work includes 11 plates of mammals (3 monkeys, 1 bear, 1 wolf, 3 cats, 1 marsupial, 1 rodent and 1 whale), 20 plates of birds (including a fine portrait of a Great Auk), 2 fish, 1 shell and 2 butterflies. The two lithographs are numbered XXV ('The Ternate King Fisher') and XXVIII ('The Jasius Butterfly'). BM(NH) V,p.2333; Nissen IVB 999; Yale/Ripley 313. (9)

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