Wild Scenes and Song-Birds

New York: George P. Putnam and Co, 1854. First edition. Hardcover. Very good plus. 8vo. Original publisher's maroon marbled cloth, upper cover with elaborate blocked design in gilt and blind with large central sunken lozenge blocked with a gilt vignette of the "southern mocking bird" signed "Tompson" (in reverse), derived from the plate facing p. 66.

Illustrated with chromolithographed plates, drawn on stone by Max Rosenthal, printed by L.N. Rosenthal of Philadelphia after Mrs. Webber (15) or Miller (5). The binding has been expertly and nearly invisibly rebacked (indeed, we had to use magnification to confirm the reback), with the inner (truncated) hinges strengthened. Some tissue guards are torn, and there is occasional light spotting on the plates, an offset from the guards.

Miller's contribution consists of five views of Indian life, four of which, according to the author, are of "scenes in the camp of the Delawares," although they are almost certainly based on the artist's sketches of the Snake Indians (a sub-group of the Shoshone). The five prints in the present work were drawn on stone by Max Rosenthal. Two of them include images of bare-breasted Indian maidens, which were later withdrawn and reissued with the women fully clothed. The prints are titled: 1. Indian Caressing His Horse; 2. Encampment of Indians; 3. Toilet of the Indian Girls; 4. Antelope Chase; 5. Indian Girl Swinging.

The remaining prints in the present work are from drawings of birds (13) and flowers (2) by the wife of the author

Bennett p.111; Reese 28; Ripley p.307; Tyler Prints of the American West pp.64-5; Zimmer p.667. Rare in this unrecorded deluxe binding. And with a presentation inscription signed in 1855 by R. McNeill, whom we believe was affiliated with Putnam's.
. (Inventory #: 21113)