ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, OREGON, BRITISH AND RUSSIAN AMERICA. INTENDED TO CONTAIN DESCRIPTIONS AND FIGURES OF ALL NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NOT GIVEN BY FORMER AMERICAN AUTHORS, AND A GENERAL SYNOPSIS OF NORTH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 1853-1856 by Cassin, John - 1856

Phila.,: Lippincott, 1856. First edition. viii,298pp.,50 colored lithographed plates. Royal 8vo, contemporary half morocco.(gold stamped on spine with raised bands and decorations) Nissen IVB 173; Anker 92. Lada-Mocarski 144. Sabin 11369. Wickersham 704. Sitwell, Fine Bird Books p.85. The work was issued in ten parts between 1853 and 1856; this is the first edition in book form, another two editions appearing in the 1860's. "The work was intended by Cassin as a general revision of the ornithology of the United States, and he expresses the hope that he may be able to issue two additional volumes or series; however, while a number of others are treated in the Synopsis of North American birds which is inserted in several places in the text. The book contains a number of data on the life of the birds in nature, based on observations made by different contributors..." (Anker). The plates were lithographed, printed and coloured by J. T. Bowen, best known for his work with Audubon's plates.. See Wagner-Camp-Becker 266a. This copy is not without association interest: On the base of the spine is lettered the name "John Krider", a Philadelphia naturalist mentioned by Cassin in his preface as assisting in the compilation of his work.