Elliot, Daniel Giraud | "Now and forever"

Elliot, Daniel Giraud

A Monograph of the Felidæ or Family of Cats. (London:) Published for the Subscribers, by the Author (Printed by Taylor and Francis), [1878–] 1883

Broadsheets (597 x 482 mm). 43 very fine handcolored lithographed plates after Josef Wolf by J. Smit, printed by M. & N. Hanhart, plates and text on guards; title-page lightly soiled and abraded in one spot, perhaps due to the removal of a stamp, some very occasional light marginal spotting, short marginal tear to one text leaf, a few guards at front reinforced. Contemporary half maroon morocco over marbled boards, marbled endpapers; front cover very faded, rear cover scratched, extremities worn, front hinge cracked at top.

First edition, originally issued in 11 parts, of one of the finest color-plate works on mammals and a worthy companion to Elliot's series of magnificent ornithological folios. This definitive monograph of the cat family describes and dramatically illustrates all the species of cat then known. In order to unravel the confused synonymy of the various species of cats, Elliot visited the great natural history museums of Europe and America to study as many specimens as possible; through careful study and comparison, he eventually reduced the number of then-presumed species by a third.

In his preface, Elliot wrote, "Among the Families which constitute the Class Mammalia no more attractive one can be found than that of Felidæ, as its members possess in the highest degree a beauty, both of form and colouring, most gratifying to the eye, and are also endowed with physical strength and weapons of offence not surpassed, and only partially equaled, by any known creatures now living upon the earth. The Family comprises not only the largest and most ferocious of the beasts of prey, but also the graceful little animal that delights to make its home within man's abode."

Elliot remarks of Wolf's superior illustrations, "It is quite unnecessary for me to call attention to the Plates which ornament this volume. They are worthy of the great artist who produced them, and they bear an enhanced value from the fact that they constitute the last series of drawings from my friend's magical pencil that will be devoted to scientific illustration."

REFERENCE:

McGill/Wood 332; Nissen, ZBI 1279