Original Parts (1849-1854)

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 when the parts were combined into books, 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 one of these special items here, part No. 27 which includes Plates 131 to 135 and is highlighted by the inclusion of the Grizzly Bear and Texan Hare plates.