‘A Fasciculus of Eight Drawings on Stone of Groups of Bird & Co by John Hancock’“This whole being representations of Specimens Stuffed and Contributed by the Author to the Great Industrial Exhibition of 1851”Published by the Author in 1853 by subscription.This complete example with its original covers; eight lithographic plates; notices; and list of subscribers, loosely sewn as issued, all protected in a cloth covered binding is rare very rare. Most were split up, with the plates removed and framed individually, which was almost certainly Hancock’s original intention. Today, even the Hancock museum (now re named) Great North Museum does not own a complete copy.It is generally accepted that this fasciculus was sold by subscription only, to the 277 subscribers listed at the back, however several of the subscribers listed have multiple copies to their names making an aggregate total at the time of just 307 copies. It was always a rare item.Height 57cm x width 40cm....