A History of the Birds of New Zealand

London, Published by the Author, 1888.

2 vols. LIMITED EDITION, Second edition,pp. lxxxiv, 250, (vi) reviews of the first edition; xv, 359, 48 Chromolithograph plates after J.G. Keulemans, 2 other lithograph plates, wood-engravings, Finely Bound in Elaborate Contemporary Red Pebbled Calf Gilt with Gilt Bird Images on all Covers, small folio, (320 x 250mm).

The 50 plates feature 80 species, the accompanying text being more detailed than that of the first edition.

With an Autograph Letter Signed from the author on ‘8, Victoria Chambers…London headed paper, dated: 10-4-89. Acknowledging the receipt of a cheque, pasted to the front blank of vol.1…

The expanded edition of Sir Walter Lawry Buller’s seminal work, A History of the Birds of New Zealand, a landmark ornithological book featuring stunning chromolithographs by J.G. Keulemans, documenting NZ’s avifauna before significant human impact, with the 1888 edition being larger and more detailed than the 1873 first edition. This two-volume publication aimed to record the unique birdlife of the islands, serving as a crucial scientific and artistic record.

Buller was born at Newark, the Wesleyan mission at Pakanae in the Hokianga, the son of Rev. James Buller, a Cornish missionary who had helped convert the people of Tonga to Methodism. He was educated at Wesley College in Auckland. In 1854, he moved to Wellington with his parents, where he was befriended by the naturalist William Swainson. In 1859 he was made Native Commissioner for the Southern Provinces. In 1871 he travelled to England and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple. Three years later he returned to Wellington and practised law.

This is still considered the finest work on the Birds of New Zealand.

One of 1000 sets (251 of which were lost in the wrecks of the Matal & the Assaye in 1890).

Anker 85; Nissen IVB 163