Books of the Day: Ornithology as Art in the 19th and 20th Centuries

The Bodleian Library is celebrating the genius of Audubon in a new exhibit here.

In 1828 he visited Oxford, trying to drum up enough subscriptions to get his massive Birds of America published.

He sold two.

Ornithology seems to be a field on the rebound, now that smart phones and cameras are able to focus in on the small and darting movement of birds. All the more reason to commemorate the genius of the artist's eye in representing the natural world.

Henry Bemis Books is pleased to offer two outstanding works of bird art:

Bailey, Harold H., The Birds of Florida (limited edition, privately printed for the author by Williams & Wilkins, 1925). Ornithologist Bailey (1878-1952) was the son of a prominent American ornithologist; his two great works are The Birds of Virginia and this volume (he was also noted marrying the widow of another great ornithologist, Eugene Law; their papers are in the collections at Virginia Tech). The Birds of Florida bears comparison with those of Audubon; 475 species and subspecies are covered, and the 76 color illustrations by George Sutton are breath-taking. A singular volume for birders. Hardcover, no dust jacket. Very good condition. HBB price: $175.

Gould, John, Hummingbirds (Wellfleet Press, 1st ed., 1990). ISBN 1-55521-661-7. This large (14.5” x 10”) volume does justice to the life’s work of John Gould (1804-1881), Curator of the Zoological Society of London. Author of Birds of Australia, Birds of Europe and Birds of Great Britain, Gould produced Hummingbirds in a series of volumes between 1849 and 1860. In 1880 he undertook a supplement; his colleague, Richard Bowdler Sharpe, completed and published it after Gould’s death. This volume collects all 418 illustrations by Gould, and the notes on each. A work worthy of comparison to Audubon. Hardcover unclipped dust jacket showing some wear along the front bottom; otherwise, very good condition. HBB price: $79.95.

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Henry Bemis Books is one man’s attempt to bring more diversity and quality to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg market of devoted readers starved for choices. Our website is at www.henrybemisbookseller.blogspot.com. For more information about any listed book, or more photos, please contact Lindsay at henrybemisbookseller@gmail.com. Henry Bemis Books is also happy to entertain reasonable offers on items in inventory. Shipping is always free; local buyers are welcome to drop by and pick up their purchases at our location off Peachtree Road in Northwest Charlotte if they like. #RareBooks #HenryBemisBooks