THE BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA (Limited edition)

Limited edition:204 pages, 90 colour plates, green simulated green leather with a facsimile of Baines' signature in gilt on the upper cover, titled gilt on the spine, a very good copy without the slip case.

Limitation page reads: The Birds of South Africa by Thomas Baines is published in a limited edition of 526 volumes distributed as follows: A-Z presentation volumes 1-500 available to collectors of Africana. This is volume 265.

From the Preface by R.F. Kennedy: ‘The Birds of South Africa is a unique volume comprising the complete collection of ninety bird studies painted by Thomas Baines and published as a Centenary tribute. It has taken over one hundred years for these paintings – some in oils but mostly in water-colours – to appear in book form. Throughout his life Baines was a keen observer of wildlife, especially birds, and it is apparent from his sketches and drawings that he had an eye for their essential characteristics.

‘On returning from an expedition to the Victoria Falls with James Chapman, in 1862, Baines stayed at the home of Charles John Andersson at Otjimbingwe, South-West Africa. Andersson was contemplating writing a bird book to be called 'Avi-fauna of South-West Africa' and invited Baines to assist in illustrating the proposed work. Baines accepted the commission and remained with Andersson from August 1863 until October 1864, painting from the many sketches he had made and from bird-skins collected on his recent expedition.

‘Andersson died before he could complete his magnum opus on the birdlife of South-West Africa and it was only some years later that his notes were edited and published posthumously by the celebrated British ornithologist, John Henry Gurney, this time under the title ‘Notes on the Birds of Damaraland and the adjacent Countries of South-West Africa’. Baines' illustrations were not included in the new work no doubt due to the high cost of reproducing the many coloured and tinted plates. It was estimated that more than £4 000 would be required – a considerable sum at that time. It is noteworthy that Baines' illustrations can be directly related to Andersson's text, as published by Gurney.’