Auction: Books, Maps & Manuscripts, 22nd Aug, 2025

A first edition copy of the landmark 19^th century ornithological publication The Birds of Great Britain by John Gould is coming up for sale with an estimate of £25,000-35,000. Celebrated for its scientific accuracy, artistic excellence and detailed life-like depictions, the five-volume work was published between 1862 and 1873 and features 367 hand-coloured lithographs depicting all the bird species in Britain that were known at the time.

Also of note is a very good copy of the fine botanical work Illustratio Systematis Sexualis Linnaei…. An Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus by John Miller will be offered in the same sale with an estimate of £8,000-12,000. Miller, born Johann Sebastian Mueller in Nuremberg, published the work in parts between 1770 and 1777, and the volume is filled with accurate and beautiful illustrations of the landmark system of Carl Linnaeus.

The sale will also include interesting 17^th century Stafford Gaol Calendars of Prisoners, and a good variety of books, maps and manuscripts encompassing a broad range of collecting areas from early antiquarian books to modern first editions, alongside illustrations, private press, manuscripts, maps and atlases, early photographs, autographed letters and historic documents.

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Thursday 21st August 10am-5pm and the morning of the sale from 8am

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