LEVAILLANT (François). Natural history of some new and rare birds of America and the Indies. Tome premier. Paris, J. E. Gabriel Dufour (Impr. de Didot jeune), 1801. Large in-4, long-grained green half-maroquin with corners, spine decorated, marbled edges (Binding of the period). First edition and first print run of this rare and beautiful monograph on hornbills and cotingas, published in eight issues as a supplement to the author's Histoire naturelle des oiseaux d'Afrique, the six volumes of which appeared from 1799 to 1808. This first volume, printed on fine wove paper, is the only one to have been published. It features 49 magnificent copper-engraved plates of exotic birds, printed in colour and enhanced with brushwork. "These plates were printed by Langlois, who did almost all the colour-printing for Levaillant. French colour-printing of this period has never been surpassed" (Fine Bird Books). A copy in attractive contemporary condition. Minor rubbing to binding, some scattered foxing, two small breaks in margin of p. 5. Anker, n°301 - Fine Bird Books, p. 90 - Nissen, IVB, n°557 - Sabin, n°40731 - Zimmer, n°392 - Graesse, IV, 188.