Richard Bowdler Sharpe | A Monograph of the Alcedinidae: or, Family of Kingfishers, 1868-1871

Richard Bowdler Sharpe

A monograph of the alcedinidae: or, family of kingfishers. London: Published by the Author, 1868-1871

FIRST EDITION, 4to (305 x 240mm.), dedication leaf, list of plates and of subscribers, uncoloured plate of generic characters, hand-coloured lithographed map (both these folded at foot), 120 hand-coloured lithographed plates by and after J.G. Keulemans, contemporary red half morocco, edges uncut,

Sharpe's first ornithological work. “A useful and beautifully illustrated treatise” (Wood).

Loosely inserted is an autograph letter signed to Broughton by the naturalist Wilfred Frost. Sent from Surabya, Indonesia Frost describes collecting various specimens, including four species of kingfisher, and his preparations to bring them home.

LITERATURE:

Anker 464; Fine Bird Books, p. 107; McGill/Wood, p. 564; Nissen IVB 864; Zimmer, p. 575

PROVENANCE:

Francis Hubert Barclay (1869-1939), The Warren, Cromer, Norfolk, bookplate and armorial gilt at foot of spine