William Lewin | The Birds of Great Britain, London, 1795-1801 [but c. 1812], 8 volumes in 4, contemporary half russia

William Lewin

The Birds of Great Britain, systematically arranged, accurately engraved, and painted from nature; with descriptions including the natural history of each bird. London: For J. Johnson, 1795-1801 [but c. 1812]

LARGE PAPER ISSUE of the second edition, 8 volumes in 4, quarto (292 x 235mm.), parallel text in English and French, 336 hand-coloured etched plates (of which 58 show eggs) by and after Lewin and his sons, contemporary half russia over marbled paper boards, spines gilt in 5 compartments

"Lewin was the best zoological painter and one of the most practical naturalists of his day" (Swanson).

Lewin has been described as the Dr Johnson of British ornithology, his Birds of Great Britain being an achievement no less monumental than Johnson's Dictionary in its own field. The first edition of this work was limited to 60 or 66 copies and entirely illustrated by original watercolours.

This second edition was produced using copper plates onto which Lewin directly etched the images: not copies from the first edition work, but entirely new and very much more detailed. Even as he was still painting birds for his first edition, Lewin was preparing the etched copper plates for the second, several of the plates being dated as early as 1793. Lewin died suddenly in 1795 having completed only the first 103 copper-plates himself. His sons (Thomas, Thomas William and John William) completed the remaining plates (104-336) after Lewin's death. Plates by his sons started to appear halfway through volume IV, which was first issued in 1797

PROVENANCE: Sir Montague Cholmeley, Bart, armorial bookplate; J.F. Symons-Jeune, armorial bookplate

REFERENCES: Anker 306; Fine Bird Books (1990) p. 119; Nissen IVB 562; Wood p. 435; Zimmer p. 395