The Illustrated Book of Poultry. With Practical Schedules for Judging, Constructed from Actual Analysis of the Best Modern Decisions – Wright, Lewis

Containing 50 chromolithographic plates of prize British roosters, hens and other fowl after illustrations by J.W. Ludlow. “Hen Fever”, as it became known during the Victorian Age, was an unprecedented obsession with owning, breeding, and showing the finest chickens in the world. The genesis of the poultry fancier owes much to Queen Victoria and her royal menagerie. In 1842, she acquired exotic chickens from China, and whatever the Queen did, the public would soon try to imitate and incorporate at home.[…] British author, Lewis Wright was a poultry, pigeon, and animal expert. His comprehensive publications on poultry played a major part in establishing and documenting rare breeds of poultry and tracing their histories, as well as promoting the fancier movement. His landmark publication, The Illustrated Book of Poultry, was so popular that it was revised and reprinted several times from 1870-1911. In addition to extensive descriptions, setting show standards, and offering instructions on keeping and breeding, this large tome also included numerous chromolithographs by ornithological artist, J.W. Ludlow. These illustrations, followed the example of Audubon, where the birds were portrayed in natural settings and poses. Poultry fanciers in Britain and U.S. valued the images just as much as the encyclopaedic information.” 4to, two volumes bound in half red morocco with marbled boards and endpapers. Bindings rubbed with some loss to the marbled paper. Repaired split to volume 2. All plates bright and clean with some offsetting to the tissue guards

Publisher: Cassell & Company
Date Published: 1885
Publication Place: London

Condition: Good
Binding: Hardcover

Dimensions: 27.5 x 21.5cm