François LEVAILLANT

First edition illustrated with 22 plates of animals, natives and landscapes, five of which are folding.
Contemporary marbled brown sheep binding. Smooth spine decorated with a central urn tool and 2 other tools at headcaps. Roulettes in place of raised bands and at head. Frame roulette on boards. Chocolate title-label, black volume labels, all in sheep. Rubbing. Scattered pale foxing. Good copy.
François Levaillant (1753-1824) is a French explorer and ornithologist. In 1781, the treasurer of the Dutch East India Company sent him to Cape Province, in South Africa. He then collected numerous specimens in the region, bringing back more than 2000 bird skins to France. A second voyage...

Second edition, after the first published in Paris in 1790. It is similarly illustrated with 12 plates, some of which folding, and the famous plate of the Hottentot with the apron.
Contemporary full marbled sheep bindings. Smooth spines decorated with 2 fleurons and 2 compartmentalized urns, roll ornaments. Red morocco title labels and black morocco volume labels. Rubbing. Upper joint of volume I split at tail. Three holes on spine. 7 corners bumped. Some leaves slightly yellowed. Good copy.
François Levaillant (1753-1824) was a French explorer and ornithologist. In 1781, the treasurer of the Dutch East India Company sent him to Cape Province, in South Africa. He then collected...

New edition, illustrated with 20 plates (animals, views, camps, natives) compared to 12 in the 1790 first edition, including 6 folding plates, all on heavy paper, including the famous plate of the Hottentot with apron, which is sometimes missing.
Bindings in full contemporary glazed marbled sheep. Smooth spines decorated with 2 fleurons and 2 urns in compartments, with roulette borders. Black morocco title and volume labels. Rubbing. Scratches to boards. Some pale foxing. Tear to outer margin of the Narina plate. Some leaves slightly proud. Good copy.
François Levaillant (1753-1824) was a French explorer and ornithologist. In 1781, the treasurer of the Dutch East India Company sent...