Humming-Birds
Humming-birds
Mary Kirby (1817-1893) and Elizabeth Kirby (1823-1873) were sisters who, together, wrote and illustrated numerous natural science books and children’s books. Elizabeth died just prior to Humming-birds’ publication, making it one of the last collaborative projects for the sisters. Their scientific works were remarkable for their time, particularly Mary’s Flora of Leicestershire, a partially crowd-sourced endeavor. Humming-birds is one of their many books on natural science, providing scientific information infused with poetry, folktales, and informal descriptions about the creatures’ appearance, habits, and abilities. The book, like its subject, is small and beautifully decorated.
This late 19th century publishers bindings has a stamped gilt cover with a chromolithographic print on the cover. There are five additional chromolithographic prints in the book. The binding is in pieces and the sewing has failed. Pages 46-48 were repaired with pressure sensitive tape that has left a residue on those pages. Conservators will dis-bind the volume and re-sew the textblock. The case will be repaired and the textblock re-bound in the original binding. A custom enclosure will be created to protect the fragile cover.
Discover more about this book in our Catalog.
Adoption Type: Preserve for the Future
