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The Pigeoncote cares for lost and injured pigeon, and is a non culling pigeon refuge,
located in Olympia, WA USA. We have been in continuous service since 1993.

Not able to ship until the 17th of April

Bibliography of Antique Pigeon Books; 1887
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This rather extensive bibliography of pigeon books was first published in 1887 by William Combe. It provides a detailed description of the books available at that date. Some of the books he describes were already antiques back then published during the late 1600's and 1700's. I don't know if any of the originals of this very early biibliogrpahy still exist, but 150 numbered copies were reprinted by John Norris in 1983. This is copy #28. An incredible peek into just how long pigeon history and scholarship dates back.

Download the free searchable PDF file downlaod

Pigeons: Naturalist's Library - V9Jardine

 

book coverbook spineJardine Title PageJardine Plate 12  Columba Livia  (Rock Dove). Click for larger image.Jardine plate 13 Columba Livia var Laticauda (Broad Tail Shaker).  Click for larger image.Jardine Plate 14 Columba Livia var Cucullata (Jacobine).  Click for larger image.Jardine Plate Barb Pigeon.  Click for larger image.Jardine Plate 15 Pouter Pigeon.  Click for larger image.Jardine Plate 17 Tutur Risorius.  Click for larger image.Jardine Plate 18  Turtur Lophotes.  Click for larger image.Jardine Plate 19 Passenger Pigeon.  Click for larger image.
$285 This work was done as part of a series and is in very good condition. There is a small library stamp and someone has written in 1816, although I do not believe it was published until 1935. There is also a small received stamp of what appears to be December 1, 1853. The Portland Oregon Library must have taken very good care of this volume as each hand colored plate, with original tissues still in place, is a very nice condition. A larger image of each plate can be retrieved by clicking on the image. The dark band in the image is not on the page but is caused by the binding shadow. The images are only at 300 DPI and look better with the eye. There is some foxing, as close examination of the enlarged images reveal, but it is minor for a book of this age. The binding, while rather plain, is tight and in very good condition. A very lovely copy, I would rate it as excellent if it was not for the minor owner marks, so it must be declared as very good.

11
book cover Jardine Spine.  Click for larger image. Jardine Plate 1 Vinago Aromatica.  Click for larger image. Jardine Plate 2 Vinago Oxyura.  Click for larger image. Jardine Plate 3 Ptilinopus Purpuratus.  Click for larger image. Jardine Plate 4 Ptilinopus Monachus.  Click for larger image. Jardine Plate 5 Ptilinopus Cyanovirens.  Click for larger image. Jardine Plate 6 Carpophaga? Magnifica.  Click for larger image. Jardine Plate 7 Carpophaga Oceanica.  Click for larger image. Jardine Plate 8 Columba? Plasianella.  Click for larger image. Jardine Plate 9 Columba Spadicea.  Click for larger image.
$185 As you can see from the scans the cover of this book is in much poorer condition. The spine and edges of faded to a light brown. The pages are also shaken a bit and were not the highest quality at printing, with the pages uncut. Two pages are still uncut. The pages have browned more and there is more foxing, particularly on the tissues separating the plates from the adjoining page. The hand colored plates themselves is still very nice, but the pages also show some discoloration from age. The scans tell the best story, and these again are done at only 300 dpi, so they actually look sharper than the scans. A sharp eye may have noticed that the binding states that this is volume V, but rest assured this is also known as volume IX, being the ninth in the series that focused on Columbide, and is so noted on one of the uncut pages. This publication is noted as 1835, and has advertisements in the rear.  I really can't rate this higher than reading quality because of the binding and shaken pages. I would rate the prints as good or even slightly better. 13

 

At My WindowRuth A. Johnstone

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Published by Frederick A. Stokes Company, New York, 1911. First Edition, hardback in excellent condition. A delightful, pigeon tale. From the author's Preface: "The inspiration of this narrative was a conversation with Miss Josephine M. White, Children's Librarian, Riverside Branch, New York Public Library, who was much interested in some little incidents I related to her, and thought they would form an entertaining story. She, also, is a lover of God's feathered creatures; and told me the pleasure she derived, each morning, in coming to the library, in gazing from the elevated train at a certain church tower, where a colony of pigeons make their home. "They seemed to understand where to go for refuge," was her tender way of expressing the impression they made upon her."

Black cloth binding with full-cover, color paste down with slight scuffing, as shown in the scan, illustration of author at the window with her pigeons and gold gilt lettering. 114 pages. Frontispiece is the same as the cover illustration with protective tissue guard.

$72 9oz
Fulton's Book of Pigeons: with standards for judgingFulton, R. (revised by W.F. Lumley

 

Fulton Book of Pigeons 1876 green cover.  Click for larger image.Fulton fancy spine.  Click for larger image.Fulton's Fan Tails.  Click for larger image.Click for larger image.Click for larger image.Fulton color plate White Carrier Cock.  Click for larger image.Fulton's Book Of Pigeons Plate Sattinettes.  Click for larger image.
The Illustrated Book of Pigeons with Standards for Judging is indeed the classic English language book to which none can compare, no matter what the age. There were many editions printed. It was very, very popular. This particular edition by Robert Fulton and edited by Lewis Wright is the true classic printed in 1876 with 50 full sized hand plates of Ludlow's from Cassell's pigeon book for which these editions are renowned. But not to understate the prints, because this is truly why these books continue to command a kingly sum which continues to increase over the years, the pigeon material provided is as gold today as it was more than 100 years ago. I believe that this is the book that Levi used as his foil to create his masterpiece and in many ways he did meet all expectations, except for the prints.

In addition to the colored prints there are also many black and white prints throughout the book as well. I've provide one just to illustrate how good these are as well

$850 Cassell, Petter, Gaplin & Co. London, Paris, & New York 1876, very good. Yes there is some foxing, particularly along the top edge of this book as the scans will reveal, and some tissues between the colored plates and text are missing.  It has a rather fancy binding with re-enforced corners and spine. The page edges are marbled.

87
Fulton with blue cover Fulton blue binding.  Click for larger image. Fulton Almonds.  Click for larger image. Fulton Bald Heads.  Click for larger image. Fulton Flying Tumblers.  Click for larger image. Fulton red, yellow and white Dragoons.  Click for larger image. Fulton Turbiteens.  Click for larger image.
$845 Cassell, Petter, Gaplin & Co. London, Paris, & New York 1876, excellent for its age, boards are rather plain, but pages are gilded. Publisher has bond in a few pages of advertising for other books they offer, including an illustrated copy of Dante's Inferno for just over 6 pounds.

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Fulton black cover.  Click for larger image. Fulton black spine.  Click for larger image. Fulton Nun.  Click for larger image. Fulton Sattennettes.  Click for larger image. Fulton feathers.  Click for larger image. Fulton Damascene.  Click for larger image. Fulton fantails.  Click for larger image.
$650 Cassell, Petter, Gaplin & Co. London, Paris, & New York 1876, very good for its age. Tissues removed, otherwise this too would be an excellent copy for its age.  Very ordinary nearly black binding but very little discoloration or foxing throughout.

75
Fulton brown cover.  Click for larger image. Fulton brown spine.  Click for larger image. Fulton black cock damaged copy.  Click for larger image. Fulton damaged plate.  Click for larger image. Fulton Yellow Pouter.  Click for larger image. Fulton Dragoon.  Click for larger image. Fulton Owls.  Click for larger image.
$450 Cassell, Petter, Gaplin & Co. London, Paris, & New York 1876, good for its age. I presume that this volume has been rebound once because James P. Ruyl's name is engraved on the cover. The binder was very careful not to remove the edges placing the stitches very, very close and subsequently a few have come undone. The worst prints is that of the blondinettes, where someone at one time painted in the eyes and wattles of the birds with a red ink. The second worst print is that the black carrier which has two outer corners of the margin missing. Not into the plate itself, but a piece of tape "repairing" a small tear does protrude ever so slightly on the print as the scanned image demonstrates. 81
Berliner Tummler Erich Klein
Book cover, click for larger image in new window. Book cover, click for larger image in new window. This paperback was published in 1920, but other than the paper tanning is in excellent condition. It is published, and written in German as one would expect, in Germany. There are many photographs of the varies form of Berlin Tumblers, and it is clear that they were flying breeds. The font is very unusual and artistic. A great "read" even for those of us that do not know German.
The Secret in the LoftMabel Mackness, illustrated by Ben Taplin

 

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Published by London, Blackie and Son. It is undated (probably 1910-20) 1st edition illustrated hardback in pretty good condition. This book was probably inexpensive at the time as indicated by the quality, or lack there of, of the boards and paper. Contents clean but for minor soiling, a little spotting/browning. Owners inscription on the front end paper. The color plate at front, in within and black and white illustrations are by Ben E Taplin.

$32 5oz
Treatise On Domestic Pigeons Paul B. Minet

 

Click for larger imageGirton, Daniel $46: Paul B Minet, 1972. Book Condition Mint A facsimile of 1765 with additional photographs at the end. Original purple cloth gilt design to front panel.
$46 mint harback
Man's Feathered Friends of Longest StandingNational Geographic: January, 1926
National Geographic coverNational Geographic Fantails.  Click for larger image.National Geographic Elisha Hanson.  Click for larger image.National Geographic Elisha Hanson.  Click for larger image.National Geographic Elisha Hanson.  Click for larger image.National Geographic Elisha Hanson.  Click for larger image.
This 1926 issue includes the Man's feathered Friends of Longest Standing as well as some other entertaining subjects.  The article is certainly worth more than a single read and that can be done for free on line   Just follow the article link here.  Take a look, I believe you will concur that the colored prints by Elisha Hanson are worth more than the asking price.
$12 Good
$15 Very good
National Standard Squab Book 1905 Elmer C. Rice

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Elmer Rice started this longest running series about pigeon breeding in 1902. This is actually the is the fourth edition published in 1905. Since this book was published for so many years, into the 40's, finding a copy is not that difficult, but finding one of these early editions certainly is. Rice actually gives very good advice on how to breed pigeons for the squab market, and is certainly focused on the intricacies of producing squabs profitable rather than on marketing, although there is a small chapter on marketing as well. The book is in very good condition for its age with the exception of some spot damage to the cover and the scan illustrates.

$35
Scientific American August 17, 1895

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This old edition of Scientific American includes an article titled "setting pigeons free at sea" as well other interesting articles for those interested in scientific advances at the time. The magazine while being folded, and despite a couple of minor tears, is still in very good condition and an interesting read.

$25
Pigeons W. B. Tegetmeier, illustrated by Harrison Weir
Cover, click for larger image Cover, click for larger image Cover, click for larger image Cover, click for larger image   These copies are really in very nice condition. Pigeons by Tegetmeier is the classic color illustrated work being printed in London in 1868. It includes 16 color engravings by Weir of several of the breeds highlighted in the book and as many wood engravings as well, although the artist of the wood engravings is not noted. The color engravings are without a doubt what set this work out from earlier works. It may indeed be the first work devoted to pigeons that included color engravings. This particular issue has been professionally rebound, and is in very good condition with only very minor foxing here and there.
$380
Cover, click for larger imageCover, click for larger image.Cover, click for larger image.Cover, click for larger image.Cover, click for larger image.This copy still has the original stamped covers that are in very nice condition for its age with the exception of the rather heavy bumping on the lower left corners. Also as you can see from the enlargement of the pouter plate as well, there is quite a bit of foxing on that plate, that extends to the first few pages. After that the text and plates are virtually fox free. There is a tear, that has been taped, on one of the tissue papers, separating the colored plates from the printed pages.
$425
Cover, click for larger imageCover, click for larger imageCover, click for larger imageCover, click for larger imageCover, click for larger imageCover, click for larger image This copy is more than a reading copy, but has some obvious damage. As you can see from the the larger scans, all the plates are in pretty decent shape with very little foxing, with the exception of the Pouter print. Someone has carefully cut is out from its original page and pasted it on the blank page. You will notice that there is no background picture. If it was to be rebound a loose plate would have to be obtained to replace this one. The cover is also very worn with the bottom edge cloth nearly worn off. However, this is a very economic alternative for someone who can acquire the damaged plate and have it rebound.

 

$225
The Practical Pigeon Keeper Lewis Wright
click for larger image click for larger image click for larger image This book also published by Cassell and Company was being printed at the same period as Fulton's opus. It was clearly intended for the average pigeon fancier of limited means. In addition to the standard wisdom of the day for maintain a successful loft, there are also many chapters on popular breeds of the day, including Carriers, Dragoons, Barbs, Tumblers, Pouters, Fantails, Jacobins, Owls, Turbits, Turbiteens, Antwerps, Archangels, and the list goes on. Certainly a wonderful peak into the pigeon fancy from the late 19th century. It was first printed in 1879. It was issued a view more times but as far as I know,none were dated or noted as such..
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