- 21
Malherbe, Alfred.
Estimate
20,000 - 25,000 GBP
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Description
- Monographie des Picidées ou histoire naturelle des picidés, picumninés, yuncinés ou torcols. Metz: Jules Verronnais, 1861-1862
- paper
First edition, one of 100 copies signed by the author, folio (537 x 343mm.), 123 hand-coloured lithographed plates by A. Delehay, C. Mesnel, and P. Oudart, contemporary half morocco by S. Hogg, spines gilt, [Anker 321; Fine Bird Books, p.92; Nissen IVB 587; Wood, p.449; Zimmer, p.415]
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The Lord Lilford copy of "probably the best monograph on the woodpeckers of the world" (Wood).
Alfred Malherbe (1804-1866) was a lawyer with a passion for bird-collecting and natural history in general . For the last twenty years of his life he was the director of the museum at Metz, where he lived.
His work on the Piciformes is his magnum opus, and, according to Zimmer, was issued in no more than 100 copies.
This copy is from the exceptional library of the notable ornithologist Lord Lilford, author of Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Islands (1885-1897), sale in these rooms, 5 July 1949, lot 640, Maggs Bros.