Encyclopedie Portative Oiseaux 1829

48 Hand coloured copperplate engravings of birds of the world, some South African (complete).

Published in 1829, the Encyclopédie Portative (specifically Résumé d'ornithologie, ou d'histoire naturelle des oiseaux) is a highly sought-after, antique pocket-sized natural history of birds. It was written by Belgian ornithologist Auguste Drapiez and features forty-eight delicate, hand-colored lithographs by Madame Lamouroux. Because of its rarity, it is considered a prized collector's item in the antiquarian book trade.

Authored by Auguste Drapiez (1778–1856), with accompanying Iconographie (plates) by Madame Lamouroux, covers comprehensive classifications and types of birds across the world, with some editions containing historical South African species.

It is exceptionally rare. Institutional holdings are incredibly limited.

Not collated.

85mm x 115mm

R12,500