Rare hand-coloured bird plates by Gould and Elizabeth Gould

Gould, John. The birds of Australia and the adjacent islands.…
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Gould, John. The birds of Australia and the adjacent islands. London, The Author, 1837-38. The two parts, all published, large folio, with 20 fine hand-coloured plates by the author and Elizabeth Gould, notice to subscribers slip in the second part, half green morocco, spine gilt-decorated, retaining the printed wrappers of both parts and the small armorial labels of Lord Northwick, an original subscriber, in folding cloth box with leather labels. A little foxing, slightly affecting a few plates, a fine set. The rarest of Gould's works, suspended after his decision to travel to Australia to make observations and obtain more specimens, then cancelled on his return two years later, by which time he had resolved to start afresh. The subscribers were requested to return the two parts, the price to be allowed off the new work, which was to retain only those of the original plates which the author decided were accurately figured: just nine of them were incorporated in the new, complete work. Most of the subscribers complied, and Gould himself foresaw that as a result the surviving copies would become a prized collector's item.

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  • Foxing - Foxing is a type of discoloration or staining that occurs on the edges or pages of old books, manuscripts, and other paper-based materials. The term "foxing" comes from the reddish-brown color of the stains, which is similar to the color of fox fur.

    Foxing is caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to moisture, high humidity, and oxidation. Over time, these environmental factors can cause the paper to yellow and develop the distinctive brownish stains. The discoloration can also be caused by pollutants in the air, such as smoke and chemicals, or by the presence of certain types of mould or mildew.

    Foxing can have a significant impact on the value and appearance of old books and manuscripts, and is often considered a defect. However, some people consider foxing to be a sign of the history and aging of the paper, and view it as a desirable characteristic.
  • Armorial / Armourial - Bearing a coat of arms. Coats of arms came into general use by feudal lords and knights in in the 12th century, and by the 13th century, arms had spread beyond their initial battlefield use to become a flag or emblem for families in the higher social classes of Europe. They were inherited from one generation to the next. When a family crest is used on individual items of silver or furniture it is an indicator of the aristocratic standing of the family represented.

    Armorials were also used to decorate mass produced ceramic souvenir ware by such companies as Goss, Carlton & Shelley, and in these cases the coats of arms displayed were of boroughs and cities.

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