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A History of British Birds

by Rev. Francis Orpen Morris

(1851-1903, London)


Original Hand-coloured Wood Engravings over 120 years old


Sheet size: approximately 6.5 x 10 inches (varies slightly by year) – about 16.5 x 25.5 cm


Rev. Francis Orpen Morris
(1810-1893)

The inspiration for Francis Orpen Morris' A History of British Birds actually came from the renowned English printer, Benjamin Fawcett, who approached Morris to write the text when Morris became Vicar of Nafferton. Morris had a reputation as a popular writer on natural history in general and birds in particular. His first book, Guide to an Arrangement of British Birds, had appeared as early as 1834. However, his association with Benjamin Fawcett was to have remarkable results, particularly for the study of ornithology.

 

A History of British Birds was entirely printed and bound in the small North Country village of Driffield, Fawcett’s residence and shop, and shipped in tea chests to London. It was a resounding success. Work on A History of British Birds probably began in 1848. Publication, which took over seven years to complete from June 1850, was undertaken in monthly parts costing one shilling. Each part contained 24 pages of letterpress and 4 hand-coloured plates. The final six-volume work contained 358 coloured plates. One thousand copies of the first part were initially produced, but such was the demand that Fawcett quickly had to move into larger premises.

 

Alexander Francis Lydon was one of Fawcett’s principal engravers, contributing much in technique and design. A team of women colourists under very strict scrutiny first from Fawcett, then his wife (a former colourist herself) hand colored each plate.
Morris became an early advocate for conservation and was instrumental in founding
the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

 

Various editions of A History of British Birds were published from circa 1851 to circa 1903.
All were published with the hand-colouring of the time.

 

[References include Fine Bird Books, p125 & Benjamin Fawcett, p 77.]

 


THE AVAILABLE PLATES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS FOR AN ENLARGED VIEW OF THE ENTIRE PLATE.
CAPERCALLIE
CAPERCALLIE
$69.95
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
CAPERCALLIE
CAPERCALLIE
$69.95
Later edition print ...see print to left for colouring differences from the first edition
CAPPED PETREL
CAPPED PETREL
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
CAPERCALLIE
CAPPED PETREL
$69.95
Later edition print ...see print to left for colouring differences from the first edition
CAPERCALLIE
CAPPED PETREL
$69.95
Later "Cabinet Edition" print, on smaller sheet (approx. 7¼ x 4¾ inches), and with an uncoloured "habitat." See prints to left for a larger sheet and coloured habitat.)
CASPIAN TERN
CASPIAN TERN
$69.95
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
CASPIAN TERN
CASPIAN TERN
$69.95
Later edition print ...see print to left for colouring differences from the first edition; foxing around perimeter
CASPIAN TERN
CASPIAN TERN
$69.95
Later "Cabinet Edition " print, on smaller sheet (approx. 7¼ x 4¾ inches), and with an uncoloured "habitat." See prints to left for a larger sheet and coloured habitat.)
CHAFFINCH
CHAFFINCH
$69.95
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
CHAFFINCH
CHAFFINCH
Later edition print ...see print to left for colouring differences from the first edition
CHIFF CHAFF
CHIFF CHAFF
$69.95
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
CHIFF CHAFF
CHIFF CHAFF
$69.95
Later edition print ...see print to left for colouring differences from the first edition
CHOUGH
CHOUGH
$69.95
CINEREOUS SHEARWATER
CINEREOUS SHEARWATER
$69.95
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
CASPIAN TERN
CINEREOUS SHEARWATER
$69.95
Later edition print ...see print to left for any colouring differences from the first edition; a few light foxing specks
CINEREOUS SHEARWATER
CINEREOUS SHEARWATER
$69.95
Later "Cabinet Edition " print, on smaller sheet (approx. 7¼ x 4¾ inches), and with an uncoloured "habitat." See prints to left for a larger sheet and coloured habitat.)
CIRL BUNTING
CIRL BUNTING
$69.95
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
CIRL BUNTING
CIRL BUNTING
Later edition print ...see print to left for any subtle colouring differences from the first edition
COLE TITMOUSE
COLE TITMOUSE
$69.95
A few light fox marks below branch
COMMON TERN
COMMON TERN
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
COMMON TERN
COMMON TERN
$69.95
Later edition print ...see print to left for any subtle colouring differences from the first edition
COOT
COOT
$69.95
CORMORANT
$69.95
Later "Cabinet Edition " print, on smaller sheet (approx. 7¼ x 4¾ inches), and with an uncoloured "habitat." Red staining around edges of paper—would be covered with careful mounting/matting.
COURSER
COURSER
$69.95
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
COURSER
COURSER
$69.95
Later edition print ...see print to left for any subtle colouring differences from the first edition
CREEPER
CREEPER
$69.95
CRESTED LARK
CRESTED LARK
$69.95
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions; a couple of light fox marks
CRESTED LARK
CRESTED LARK
$69.95
Later edition print ...see print to left for any subtle colouring differences from the first edition
CRESTED TIT
CRESTED TIT
$69.95
CROSSBILL
CROSSBILL
$69.95
CROW
CROW
Early edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet.
CUCKOO
CUCKOO
$69.95
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
CUCKOO
CUCKOO
$69.95
Later edition print ...see print to left for any subtle colouring differences from the first edition
GULL-BILLED TERN
CULL-BILLED TERN
$69.95
Some foxing
CURLEW
CURLEW
First edition print with very light buff background; slightly smaller sheet...see print to right for subtle colouring differences in the later editions
CURLEW
CURLEW
Later edition print ...see print to left for any subtle colouring differences from the first edition. Some foxing on plate.
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