Halocyptena Microsoma (Cuneate-tail Petrel) and Cymochorea Melania (Bonaparte's Petrel)

Item Details

Halocyptena Microsoma (Cuneate-tail Petrel) and Cymochorea Melania (Bonaparte's Petrel) From New and Heretofore Unfigured Species of the Birds of North America, D.G. Elliot, Bowen & Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1866-1869.

Lithograph, hand-colored, image approximately 13 x 19 inches on sheet size 18 1/2 x 23 1/4 inches. Framer's tape to top edge of verso. Very good, clean condition. With descriptive text sheet which is lightly toned and chipped along edges with mild off setting from adjacent print when bound. Both items removed from original binding.

An attractive image of two seabirds, a swimming Bonaparte's Petrel and a Cuneate-tail Petrel in flight from D.G. Elliot's "The New and Heretofore Unfigured Species of the Birds of North America." This image was drawn by D.G. Elliot, who wrote and financed the magnificent volume with over 70 plates. His aim was to produce, when possible, life-size images of birds not recorded by Audubon. The quality of the production is evident in the subtle hand coloring. Elliot went on to publish several other magnificent ornithological volumes. Elliot dedicated this work to Alexander Wilson, his predecessor and best-known American ornithologist.

Sabin, in "Dictionary of Books Relating to America from its Discovery to the Present Time" states there were 200 sets produced. 

Issued 15 parts in 14, 1866-1869, with cover-title "The Birds of North America." The 72 hand-colored plates indicate the images were drawn from nature and are variously attributed to D.G. Elliot, J. Wolf, or Edwin Sheppard. This plate attributed to Elliot. All plates bear the imprint of Bowen & Co. litho. & col. Philada.