Original octavo parts (also called numbers or fascicles) are rare since the great majority of subscribers bound the parts into books. Each octavo part included five plates, text, and front and back covers (called wrappers). In the vast majority of cases, the wrappers were discarded, although occasionally one may encounter a set that has some or all of the wrappers bound in. As fragile as they are and as prone to being broken up for plates, it is remarkable that some of the parts survived in the original “booklet” form and can still be found today in that form. I offer a few of these special items below.
Each part includes a certificate of authenticity (COA) that gives background on the octavo edition and the contents of the part. Sizes are larger than typical print sizes because the parts were never bound or trimmed. The plates and text pages measure around 11 inches x 7 inches. All parts include the wrappers, five hand-colored bird plates, the original text pages describing the birds, and depending on the part may include additional material (e.g., author’s introductory remarks, title page and table of contents). Because text was printed on two sides of the page, occasionally text pages that seem as if they “belong” in the part will instead be found in the preceding or following part. All parts are complete as issued.
