Author: Wingfield, Rev. W. and G.W. Johnson
Title: The Poultry Book; Comprising the Characteristics, Management, Breeding, and Medical Treatment of Poultry; Being the Results of Personal Observation and the Practice of the Best Breeders. . . .
Description: London, William S. Orr, 1853. First Edition. 0 pp. Hardcover. Harrison Weir. Apparently, this book was issued in its original binding gluing the pages along the binding edge, but not sewing them. Therefore, this book is largely a collection of pages within the original case binding. This is an early example of what is now called "perfect binding" and, at least in this case, a consummate failure. All of the pages are present. All of the illustrations are present, however there are variants with the list of illustrations (the peacock appears here as the frontispiece--and it is still attached to the binding and was presumably issued as such--instead of facing page 257; and the illustration of the Ptarmigan Chickens is actually on the same leaf as another illustration rather than a separate leaf as the list of illustrations indicates). The errata slip is still present and attached, but the variation in the location of the two illustrations is not noted. The case is the original royal blue cloth with gilt stamping on the front panel and spine and blindstamping on all surfaces. The case is generally in fine condition with the exceptions of a half-inch nick toward the top of the spine and some much smaller nicks on the foredge. Illustrated with twenty-two chromatic prints and numerous wood engravings. The original color chromatic title page also includes another illustration. An handsome and colorful book and a curious--albeit failing--binding technique. Uncommon. Very Good (?).

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