A Monograph of the Nectariniidae, or Family of Sun-Birds.

London, published by the author, 1876-1880. 4to (318 x 247mm). With 121 handcolouredlithographed plates by Keulemans. Contemporary half Red Morocco gilt.

A very attractive clean copy of one of the most beautifully illustrated works by J.G. Keulemans. “An excellent monograph of an interesting family of birds, with descriptions in Latin and English, critical notes, and discussions of habits, etc., from accounts by many different observers. A total of 138 species of the group are recognized…”(Zimmer II, 588).
“Keulemans paid particular attention to colour and structure of feathering and his ability to transmit clear, accurate impressions of various plumages was held in much esteem. Overall, his skills for accurate representations are attributable to his detailed study of birds. He was a keen naturalist and to judge from the narratives of his observations, a field ornithologist of note. These attributes often stood him in good stead, as when his specialized knowledge of a particular species made it unnecessary for the author to check anatomical authenticity. As Shelley points out in the Preface to his Sun Birds: ‘The illustrations, which form such an important portion of my Monograph, have been executed by Mr Keulemans, whose name is sufficient guarantee for the accuracy of the details and for high artistic skill. The latter is rendered perhaps more striking from his being acquainted with this family of birds in their native haunts; and his notes upon the Sun-birds inhabiting Prince Island have been incorporated in my work'” (Keulemans & Coldewey, ‘Feathers to Brush. The Victorian bird artist John Gerard Keulemans’ p. 42. The feathering is highlighted in places by the application of gum arabic.

Nissen IVB, 873; Zimmer II, 588.