The American Bisons, Living And Extinct.

J. A. ALLEN

Publication: University Press, 1876, Cambridge

First edition. Quarto. Contemporary three quarter red morocco and marbled boards with title in gilt on spine, ix [1], 246pp., 12 plates, each having a leaf of text, color folding map: Map Of North America, tables, preliminary note. This is the first extensive scholarly treatise ever published on North American bison and is considered a cornerstone work on the subject. Bison populations probably numbered 30-40 million when Europeans first arrived on the continent, but by the time Allen published this study, the animals had been slaughtered in such numbers that some conservationists were already warning that their extinction might be imminent. Allen (an ornithologist and zoologist who held senior curatorial positions at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology and the American Museum of Natural History) explains in the introduction that this monograph, "consists essentially of two quite distinct parts. The first embraces descriptions of the species, while the second is devoted to consideration of the geographical distribution of bison. To complete the history of this species, several pages are devoted to its habits, based mainly on personal observation; while Part II has been devoted entirely to its geographical distribution, including a history of its extirpation from the greater part of its former vast habitat. A chapter has been devoted to an account of its products, another to the means and methods of its destruction, not only by the different Indian tribes but also by white men, and a third to the few attempts that have been made for its domestication ....In Part II will be found not only references to narratives of early exploration and records of the early settlement of the country, but also much matter hitherto unpublished." Touches on the historical background of the present and the extinct bison, their habitat, where they roamed, the boundaries of their range in various portions of America, sightings by the early exploring expeditions, the speedy termination of the herds, products from, domestication, etc. Description of the "chase" or the hunting of by Native Americans. The large folding map is excellent showing the range of the buffalo through the years which is depicted in numerous colors. Phillips American Sporting Books p. 16 [for the extracted edition]: "Descriptions of buffalo hunting." Formerly in the library of Wilberforce Eames and sold at his auction sale in 1911, item 653: "A very thorough historical treatment of the subject, with many references to the Indians." Graff 42: "The first important work on the American bison." Meisel III P. 304. Howes A149. Issued in a small edition in the Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College. This work with fine association is seldom offered on the rare book market. Neatly rebacked with original spine, former owner's neat bookplate, and with minor soiling to the title page, otherwise a very clean and tight copy. Very good copy.

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