"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."
— Mark Twain

London: George Bell and Sons, 1870. [Ornithology] HAND COLOURED PLATES. Second edition, six volumes, quarto (27 x 19 x 27cm). Illustrated with 365 fine hand coloured plates. Publisher's embossed green cloth with gilt pictorial titles to spines, gilt stamped birds to centre of upper, black coated endpapers. The preferred second edition with the plates no longer featuring the background colour. Small tear to 'Magpie' plate in volume one, not affecting text or image, neatly repaired. Some sporadic spotting to edges, textblock, and plates, some leaves unopened. Bindings lightly rubbed to joints and slightly bumped corners. An excellent set with the publisher's binding particularly fresh and bright. Very good. Item #52458
Price: £875.00