ILLUMINERADE FIGURER TILL SKANDINAVIENS FAUNA MED TEXT UTGIFNE.1-2. S.NILSSON. (Stockholm)& Lund 1832-1840. (2)

4to. [298]; [304] pp. of text + lithographed title-leaf + 200 hand-coloured lithographed plates by Magnus Körner and Wilhelm and Magnus von Wright.

Two volumes, full morocco (Gustaf Hedberg, Stockholm), spines (slightly faded) gilt with five raised bands, contrasting labels, double filleting, inside dentelles, all edges gilt, silk page-markers. Housed in the original slip-cases.

First edition. Originally published in 20 parts. 10 plates were executed by Magnus and Wilhelm von Wright, 190 by Magnus Körner. The plates, coloured by hand by Charlotta Körner, depict 37 mammals and 163 birds.
An excellent example of a zoological atlas with descriptive text.

"A large illustrated work connected with the fauna was published between 1829 and 1840, containing beautiful and valuable plates on Swedish mammals and birds (Illuminerade figurer till Skandinavisk fauna). Sven Nilsson's fauna is one of the classical Swedish scientific works. It was the first comprehensive work after the Fauna Suecica of Linné, and it had a new and independent character in its thoroughgoing descriptions of the animal's external structure (and, in mammals, skeletons), as well as their distribution, occurrence, and habits. It was largely built on personal observations, which have a lasting value, and was rich in independent investigations" (N. von Hofsten).

Sven Nilsson [1787-1883], Swedish zoologist and archaeologist, director of the Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm 1828-1831, professor of Natural history at Lund University (1832-1856), and rector of the university (1845-1846), member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1821.

Magnus von Wright [1805-68], Finnish painter and ornithologist.
Wilhelm von Wright [1810-87], Finnish painter and ornithologist.
Magnus Peter Körner [1808-64], "akademiritmästare" at University of Lund 1849-64.

Wear, slightly stained.