SHELLEY, George Ernest (1840-1910). A Monograph of the Nectariniidae, or Family of Sun-Birds. London: by the Author, 1876-1880.

First edition, one of only 250 copies. The author acknowledges the importance of the artist J. G. Keulemans' specialist knowledge in his preface: "The illustrations which form such an important portion of my Monograph, have all been executed by Mr. Keulemans, whose name is sufficient guarantee for the accuracy of the details and for high artistic skill. The latter is rendered perhaps more striking from his being acquainted with this family of birds in their native haunts; and his notes upon the sun-birds inhabiting Prince's Island have been incorporated in my work." Sunbirds are a wide-ranging, Old World family. Birds from Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea are included. Fine Bird Books p. 108; Nissen IVB 873; Zimmer, p. 588.

Quarto (316 x 245mm). 121 hand-colored lithographed plates by J. G. Keulemans, printed by M. and N. Hanhart (spotting to title, very light occasional foxmarks touching about 3 plates). Blue-green mottled sheep gilt, all edges gilt (rubbed at corners and joints, spine sunned). Provenance: J.C. Hawkshaw, 1841-1921 (bookplate).