ELLIOT, Daniel Giraud (1835-1915). A Monograph of the Bucerotidae, or Family of the Hornbills. [New York:] published for subscribers by the author [printed by Taylor and Francis], [1877]-1882.

A fine copy of the first edition. Issued in 10 parts, this was the last of Elliott's great ornithological monographs, “a comprehensive treatment of the entire family of hornbills” (Zimmer). The series of plates are after John Gerrard Keulemans, the Dutch bird illustrator, and one of the best ornithological artists of his time. “The drawings, the happy results of Mr. Keuleman’s talented pencil, most characteristically depict the strange forms and attitudes of these curious birds (Preface, p.vi). Throughout his career, he illustrated works by Richard Bowdler Sharpe, Henry Seebohm, William Vincent Legge, and Henry Eeles Dresser. Plate 44, although included on the plate list, was never issued. Ayer/Zimmer p. 207; Fine Bird Books p. 95; Nissen IVB 297.

Large quarto (378 x 273mm). 60 lithographic plates, comprising 57 hand-colored plates by and after J. G. Keulemans, and 3 uncolored plates of generic characters by and after J. Smit, all printed by M. and N. Hanhart, numerous in-text anatomical illustrations. Contemporary green morocco-grained sheep, turn-ins gilt, top edge gilt (minor rubbing to edges and joints). Provenance: Richard James Balston, of Springfield, Maidstone, Fellow of the Zoological Society (his arms and supralibros on inner front cover).