Bonaparte & Wilson - 3 Bird Engravings

Bonaparte & Wilson - 3 Bird Engravings
This exceptional originally hand-colored engraving is from continuation by Charles Lucien Bonaparte of Alexander Wilson’s American Ornithology or The Natural History of the Birds of the United States. This ediiton was published between 1825 and 1833. The engravings were completed by Alexander Lawson after illustrations by John James Audubon, titian R. Peale, and Alexander Rider. Only one plate was after Audubon but it was his first published engraving in a book.

Alexander Wilson is known as the “Father of American Ornithology.” Wilson’s work, American Ornithology, was the first focused on only American birds. Wilson drew most of the birds for the work himself and employed Alexander Lawson and John G. Warnicke for the engraving. Wilson died in 1813 and his friend George Ord made it to press.

Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte (Napoleon's nephew), who took refuge in America after his defeat, undertook the supplement to the work, which was completed in 1833. In the preface, Bonaparte writes "A love for the same department of natural science, and a desire to complete the vast enterprise so far advanced by Wilson's labors, has induced us to undertake the present work, in order to illustrate what premature death prevented him from accomplishing, as well as the discoveries subsequently made in the feathered tribes of these States."

The work is in good to very good condition overall. There may be some very light fox marks to the paper. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
~ 14 1/2" by 11"