FINCH-DAVIES (Claude Gibney) & KEMP (Dr. Alan): The Complete Avian Facsimile Oeuvre. A monumental 5-Volume Collection of Southern African Ornithology.
PUBLISHER: Johannesburg: Winchester Press [Volumes 1–4] and Natural History Books [Volume 5]. 1980–1990.
DESCRIPTION:
An extraordinary, highly significant offering comprising the complete run of modern, limited-edition subscriber volumes dedicated to the brilliant, tragic artistry of Claude Gibney Finch-Davies (1875–1920). Curated and annotated by Dr. Alan Kemp of the Transvaal Museum, these volumes successfully unlocked Finch-Davies’ legendary archive for the global collecting community.
THE LOT COMPRISES:
1. THE BIRDS OF PREY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (1980): Quarto. Published by Winchester Press. Subscriber's Edition, limited to 1,726 copies (This copy No. 895/1726). Complete with original pictorial dust jacket. Crucially, this inaugural volume features the brilliant full-colour reproductions of his raptor plates. (Note: Lacks the original slipcase).
2. THE BIRDS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (1982): Quarto. Published by Winchester Press. Subscriber's Edition, limited to 3,026 copies (This copy No. 1512/3026). Complete with original dust jacket and slipcase.
3. THE BIRD PAINTINGS OF C.G. FINCH-DAVIES (1984): Folio. Published by Winchester Press. Subscriber's Edition, limited to 5,026 copies (This copy No. 506/5026). Showcases 99 iconic color plates. Complete with matching slipcase (Note: As published, this specific volume was issued without a separate paper dust jacket).
4. GAMEBIRDS & WATERFOWL OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (1986): Quarto. Published by Winchester Press. Subscriber's Edition, limited to 5,026 copies (This copy No. 288/5026). Replicating his famous 1912 collaboration with Horsbrugh, noted for their rare, completely coloured backgrounds. Complete with original dust jacket and slipcase.
5. A CELEBRATION OF BIRDS (1990): Quarto. Published by Natural History Books. Standard First Edition. Compiling Finch-Davies' final album completed between 1918 and 1920. Complete with original dust jacket and matching slipcase.
Claude Gibney Finch-Davies (1875–1920) is universally recognized as the "Audubon of Southern Africa"—the most influential and skilled avian portraitist in regional history. An officer in the Cape Mounted Rifles, his field observations and unmatched precision in painting plumage textures provided the foundation for modern South African ornithology.
The Historical Tragedy:
Following a tragic controversy involving his research methods at the Transvaal Museum, Finch-Davies died suddenly in 1920 at age 45. His lifetime body of work (consisting of 30 sketchbooks containing roughly 1,000 pristine plates) was locked away in the museum's archives for 60 years under institutional restrictions.
The Winchester Press Era:
In 1980, the restrictions expired. Winchester Press and eminent ornithologist Dr Alan Kemp launched an ambitious, high-quality publishing project to finally share his masterworks with the global public via strictly limited, serialized subscriber editions.
The Power of the Complete Lot:
Finch-Davies books are frequently found scatter-shot across the market in poor condition, missing their fragile slipcases or dust jackets.
Presenting all five cornerstone publications together—covering his work from the initial Birds of Prey volume in 1980 through to his Final Album in 1990—presents a comprehensive overview of his legacy.
CONDITION SUMMARY:
BINDING: Very Good Plus (VG+). All volumes tightly bound with clean, crisp cloth edges, sharp corners, and immaculate gilt lettering.
JACKETS & SLIPCASES: Very Good Plus (VG+). All included dust jackets are bright and free of sun-fading or tears except THE BIRDS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA whose jacket has slight edge wear and tear and a small hole on the heel of the spine section. Slipcases structurally firm and clean.
INTERNAL CONDITION: Very Good Plus (VG+). Text blocks are bright, square, and pristine. Free of foxing, notes, or library stamps. An elite-tier reference set.
SHIPPING & FREIGHT NOTICE (PLEASE READ BEFORE BIDDING):
* EXTRA HEAVY COLLECTED LOT: The collective weight of these five luxury volumes, boards, and hard slipcases is exceptionally high (approx. 11.5kg unpacked / 14kg securely double-boxed).
* POSTAGE & INSURANCE: In accordance with platform terms, shipping is not included in the final hammer price. The lot will be heavily insulated using corner-guards and moisture-sealed packaging to protect the slipcases during transport.
* SOUTH AFRICAN BUYERS: Shipped via premium domestic courier (such as The Courier Guy) with required signature-on-delivery tracking. Estimated domestic delivery: R280 – R450 ZAR.
* INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Global shipping will incur premium air freight rates via DHL Express or FedEx. Bidders are highly encouraged to contact the seller via the messaging board for an accurate volumetric shipping quote to their country prior to placing a final bid.
