3 volumes in 4° (290 x 240 mm); Vol. I: 90 pages (8 including the title page) with 101 copper-engraved and hand-painted plates from the period. Vol. II: 70 pages (4 including the title page) with 104 plates (1 blank page); Vol. III: 44 pages (4 including the frontispiece) with 101 plates (1 blank page). Full hazelnut-colored calfskin, spine with 5 ribs bearing gilt-stamped titles, compartments with refined gilt friezes with florets between the ribs, edges, dentils, and rich gilt borders on the boards with ramages motifs. Marbled endpapers. First French edition (The original edition was published in London between 1731 and 1738). A highly sought-after work for the 306 superb plates of birds that illustrate it, finely etched from drawings by the author and his daughter Elizabeth Albin and hand-colored by themselves; as reported in the preface to the reader, where Albin writes: "As for the paintings, they are all done from life, with all the accuracy I could obtain either by my own hand or that of my daughter, whom I taught to draw and paint from life." The plates, in fact, represent the various birds perfectly in their natural state and are enriched by descriptions in French, English, and Latin with notes and curious observations by W. Derham. As for the descriptions, they are based primarily on the works of John Ray Synopsis Methodica Avium. He also edited a revised edition of the Miscellanea Curiosa, as well as the correspondence and biography of John Ray, thus becoming one of the first cleric naturalists, who saw the study of natural science as an extension of their religious work. Very little is known about the life of the painter and naturalist Eleazar Albin (ca. 1680–ca. 1742). Born in Germany, probably under the name Weiss, he emigrated to England around 1707, where he became known for his drawings of birds and insects. William Derham, a British philosopher, theologian, and naturalist, was born on November 26, 1657, in Stoulton, Worcestershire, and died on April 5, 1735. His name remains associated with the first measurement of the speed of sound, as well as many other publications, including this Natural History by Eleazar Albin and the publication of several manuscripts by the scientist Robert Hooke. A beautiful copy internally, with only occasional light foxing. Abrasions and wear to the corners and covers, and scratches to the plates. Rare. For other editions: Nissen, IVB, no. 16; Fine Bird Books, p. 71.