Monograph of Australian pigeons and doves (1 Viewer)

[Papuan birder]

Hi,

As I have understood it world-renowned parrot expert Joseph Forshaw and one of the world's finest bird painters, William T. Cooper, is currently working together on a book project titled "Monograph of Australian pigeons and doves". Also aim sad to hear that this will be the last bird book illustrated by Cooper.

This book is due for publication in 2013, and apparently it is advisable to register your interest in this title as soon as possible which makes me believe that there will be a limited print run so aim wondering if anyone have further details about this book, such as publisher and a more precise publication date?

Cheers,
Iglezi

 

[Swissboy]

..... Also I'm sad to hear that this will be the last bird book illustrated by Cooper.

.....,
Iglezi

Any info on why this is going to be Cooper's last bird book? I also think that he is one of the most outstanding bird illustrators. I have several of his books, and I still hope that his folios will be made available as (affordable) books one of these days.

Well, I just found the answer to my question here in the video: http://www.andrewisles.com/
Cooper himself says he wants to do large canvas type oil paintings instead. The pigeon pictures shown in the video are stunning once more.

 

[Papuan birder]

Hi Robert,

I also have several of the books illustrated by Cooper, do have a copy of the Birds of Paradise and Bower Birds (published in 1978) which is my favorite by far. Speaking of which, Andrew Isles down in Melbourne is selling a complete six volume set of Kingfishers and related birds at the moment and aim more than tempted.

Also a big thanks for the link, the dedication and passion that Cooper put into the plates is beyond amazing!

Cheers,
Iglezi

 

[Swissboy]

...a copy of the Birds of Paradise and Bower Birds (published in 1978) which is my favorite by far. Speaking of which, Andrew Isles down in Melbourne is selling a complete six volume set of Kingfishers and related birds at the moment and aim more than tempted.

Also a big thanks for the link, the dedication and passion that Cooper put into the plates is beyond amazing!

Cheers,
Iglezi

Hi Iglezi, that Birds of Paradise and Bowerbirds book is my favorite as well. From what the video shows, the Pigeons book should be of the same quality.

I have seen the offers for sets of Kingfishers .., but those prices are way beyond of what I'd be willing to spend. In addition, from the few pictures I have seen, the quality of the plates varies considerably. Though the pictures were usually of a poor quality. But I'm more judging from the over all arrangement of the birds and the amount of background shown. My preference is in very detailed surroundings which then fade into the background. If there is too much landscape in full color, I think it detracts too much from the birds. But that's obviously just a personal preference. The Turacos book was also well done in that respect. I just feel the plates could have been reproduced a bit larger.

 

[Hidde Bruinsma]

Hey Iglezi !

Long time no see. Andrew Isles had sent me this Vimeo video of Cooper several months ago and since then I've got my eye on one of those original watercolours like a sparrowhawk on a just fledged sparrow. Last year I finally managed to buy my first original Cooper painting, through Isles. Later the same year I bought one of the original hornbill watercolours of the Owston collection made for the extremely rare Hornbill parts of the Kingfisher set. There are still quite a few for sale at Isles' website if you want one.
The Pigeons and Doves will be published by CSIRO, who also put out his Capturing the Essence book. I don't expect it to be a limited edition. The time for these kind of publications is gone and CSIRO has no history of publishing books like that. I think it will be a book like the Touraco's but in a oblong format since the watercolours are made that way.
Penny Olson is preparing a monograph on Bill Cooper's life and work at the moment. Could make it this year.

 

[Papuan birder]

Hey Iglezi !

Long time no see. Andrew Isles had sent me this Vimeo video of Cooper several months ago and since then I've got my eye on one of those original watercolours like a sparrowhawk on a just fledged sparrow. Last year I finally managed to buy my first original Cooper painting, through Isles. Later the same year I bought one of the original hornbill watercolours of the Owston collection made for the extremely rare Hornbill parts of the Kingfisher set. There are still quite a few for sale at Isles' website if you want one.
The Pigeons and Doves will be published by CSIRO, who also put out his Capturing the Essence book. I don't expect it to be a limited edition. The time for these kind of publications is gone and CSIRO has no history of publishing books like that. I think it will be a book like the Touraco's but in a oblong format since the watercolours are made that way.
Penny Olson is preparing a monograph on Bill Cooper's life and work at the moment. Could make it this year.

Hi Hidde,

Has indeed been a while since we were last in touch, and hope all is well!

Hmm, aim a more than regular costumer at Andrew Isles so aim a bit disappointed that they did not send me a link to the Cooper video, especially as aim more than interested to get my hands on a copy of this book. I do recall that you had your eyes on some of Coopers paintings and aim glad to hear that you have managed to get your hands on some.

Must admit I have never seen any of those hornbill watercolors so I was very happy when I found out that AI had the complete set for sale, the kingfisher books is easy enough to pick up as single volumes. The complete set is not cheap though so I will have to contemplate selling the wife's car to fund it:king:

I had my suspicions that CSIRO had something to do with the up-coming pigeon and dove monograph as it was through a leaflet from them I became aware of this book. Looks like they have published some mighty fine titles as of late and aim sure this one is not gonna be any different. Did have a look at Capturing the Essence last time I was down in Melbourne but had another book order waiting for me so could not justify a purchase then.

Cheers,
Iglezi

 

[Swissboy]

...... The time for these kind of publications is gone ......

Not sure why you think so? Though I feel the text part is of lesser importance in such books now. But as a kind of relatively affordable art book, I very much appreciate such publications. Not everybody can buy a Cooper original, I'm afraid. I don't think any artist is likely to top Cooper's later work, but there are still plenty of interesting bird groups. And even the parrots could be redone, I think.

 

[Swissboy]

Any updates?

......This book is due for publication in 2013, and apparently it is advisable to register your interest in this title as soon as possible which makes me believe that there will be a limited print run ......

Is there any new information about this book? Particularly, is it on track regarding publication date?

 

[Swissboy]

Any news?

Is there any new information about this book? Particularly, is it on track regarding publication date?

I'm repeating my question. Guess I'm just a bit impatient.

 

[Papuan birder]

Hi Robert,

I have not heard anything further about it since April last year, but aim assume it is still scheduled for publication. Looking at the CSIRO website it is not among their forthcoming releases, but it could be that it will be published later this year.

Try and get in touch with someone at either CSIRO Publishing or Andrew Isles.

 

[Swissboy]

.............Try and get in touch with someone at either CSIRO Publishing or Andrew Isles.

I keep checking the Andrew Isles web site. Plus I'm on their list of interested people. But no news there. That's why I had hoped for someone who knows how far along this book actually is.

 

[Swissboy]

Further delay, now April 2015

I keep checking the Andrew Isles web site. Plus I'm on their list of interested people. But no news there. That's why I had hoped for someone who knows how far along this book actually is.

Having finally inquired at their office, I got the following reply:

"Our current publication timeline for Pigeons and doves of Australia is April 2015."

 

[Swissboy]

April 2015 should bring this book finally

.......
"Our current publication timeline for Pigeons and doves of Australia is April 2015."

Looks like this is the definite publication date now. It has already been mentioned in the Wildlife Art subforum. http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=227091

But I think it's appropriate to post it in the book section as well.

 

[Papuan birder]

I was down in Melbourne on business last week and took the opportunity to pick up a copy signed by both Forshaw and Cooper from Andrew Isles. It's a expensive book for sure but the amazing artwork by William T Cooper makes it worth the price alone.

http://www.andrewisles.com/

 

[Swissboy]

............ It's a expensive book for sure but the amazing artwork by William T Cooper makes it worth the price alone.

I received my copy today and I fully agree about the artwork. However, the positive impression is hampered by the effects of the thin paper selected by the publishers. :-C

My comments can be found here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=227091&page=2

 

[Murray Lord]

Reprinted with heavier paper

Andrew Isles is now advertising this book as having been reprinted: "This is a reprint that uses a heavier paper stock and includes an In Memorium celebrating the life of artist William T. Cooper (1934-2015)."

 

[Murray Lord]

Alopecoenas norfolkensis sp. nov.

Reading through a library copy of this book last night, I was surprised to notice it contains a new scientific name. The extinct Norfolk Island Ground Dove is known only from a single drawing by John Hunter. Apparently the old name was formally suppressed by the ICZN as it was unclear what species it had been applied to. The old name was only a couple of letters different; it was "norfolciensis".

It is very easy to overlook the new name when reading the book!

 

[Swissboy]

Disappointing reprint

Andrew Isles is now advertising this book as having been reprinted: "This is a reprint that uses a heavier paper stock and includes an In Memorium celebrating the life of artist William T. Cooper (1934-2015)."

I have received a reprinted book from CSIRO. But this is again very disappointing. Not only is it missing any mention on Cooper's passing away, in fact the total number of pages is the same. The paper quality is still such that the text from the back shines through, just a little bit less so. The picture of the Pied Imperial Pigeon clearly shows horizontal structures on the breast and belly of the left bird, and on the wing and neck of the right bird. These come from the text on the back. The pattern is actually more pronounced than what is visible in the reduced picture.
The second picture, from the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, is from the first printing. It shows text both in the blank around the actual illustration, and also in the blue around the bird's head. The second printing shows virtually no lines in the blue, but still in the blank area. Again, the effects are stronger in the original than what the reduced picture shows.

So, over all again, Cooper's work has not been done justice here.
My book clearly says "Reprinted in 2015". So it's not that I accidentally received a first printing again.

Has anyone here received a replacement from Andrew Isles? Does that look different? I.e. has Andrew Isles their own reprinted version, by any chance? Could it be that their "Memorium" is not part of the book, but an added insert?

 

[Swissboy]

Andrew Isles, anyone?

..........Has anyone here received a replacement from Andrew Isles? Does that look different? I.e. has Andrew Isles their own reprinted version, by any chance? Could it be that their "Memorium" is not part of the book, but an added insert?

Is there really nobody here on BF who has received a replacement copy from Andrew Isles? Or somebody who ordered later and got a "reprinted" book right away? I definitely wonder whether the books all come with somewhat "transparent" paper.

 

[Melanie]

It would be interesting to know whether Forshaw's rediscription of the Norfolk Ground Dove will be accepted. IOC is still hasitating.