3 vols., First Edition, with 579 splendid wood-engraved illustrations and tail-pieces in the text, free endpapers moderately spotted; attractively bound in contemporary green morocco, gilt backs, a very good, bright, notably clean set. A milestone in ornithological literature which served as the standard work for field ornithologists for almost the rest of the century. First published in 37 parts between July 1837 and May 1843, it appears here in book form for the first time. Yarrell had been much impressed with Bewick's format a generation earlier and determined to illustrate his own work with engravings of suitable quality. He spared no effort, for the splendid woodcuts were engraved by the Thompsons (father and sons) from drawings by Alexander Fussell. Fussell came from a celebrated family of artists; John Thompson, a former pupil of Branston, was one of the most distinguished wood-engravers of the period. Interestingly this division of labour was not absolute, for several of the illustrations are signed 'Thompson del et sc.' which seems to indicate that occasionally Thompson was responsible for both parts of the process. A supplement, separately published in 1845, is not present with this copy which is complete in itself. Jackson, pp.71-90; Mullens & Swann, p.670; Tate ('Birds, Men and Books'), pp.41-42.
