The Ornithological Library of Gerald Dorros at Christie's NY
New York—Christie’s is pleased to present The Ornithological Library of Gerald Dorros, MD, a superb selection of important works from the heyday of beautifully illustrated natural history books, taking place on Thursday, June 15 at 11:30am, Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza. The Gerald Dorros Collection encompasses the iconic volumes created in the late eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries, which transformed the world’s understanding of nature through the diligent research and artistry found in these tomes. This choice collection highlights works by the masters of ornithological art — John James Audubon, John Gould, and Saverio Manetti — and includes several fine presentation copies.
Featured in the sale are fine examples of first edition ornithological studies from masters of the field, including John Gould’s The Birds of Australia, London, [1840]-1869, Gould’s major ornithological achievement (estimate: $250,000-350,000); Saverio Manetti’s Storia degli Uccelli, Florence, 1767-1776, one of the greatest 18th century bird books (estimate: $150,000-250,000); and Daniel Giraud Elliot’s A Monograph of the Phasianidae or Family of the Pheasants, New York, 1870-1872 (estimate: $60,000-80,000).
Complementing the comprehensive ornithological library are a few of the great works on mammals by these masters, including a first edition in exquisite condition of John James Audubon’s The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, New York, 1845-54, featuring 150 broadsheets of hand-colored lithographic plates (estimate: $250,000-350,000); and Elliott’s Cats and Gould’s Mammals of Australia, illustrating the full power of natural history art, from the skies to the sylvan expanses across the globe.
On June 15, 2017, the Books & Manuscripts department will also be auctioning The Metropolitan Opera Guild Collection at 10am and the various owner sale of Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts Including Americana and the Eric C. Caren Collection at 2pm, at Christie’s New York.
Image: John James Audubon (1785-1851) and Rev. John BACHMAN (1790-1874).The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. New York, 1845-54. Estimate: $250,000-350,000
