For those interested in ornithological books or beautiful illustrations, The Illustrated Book of Canaries and Cage-Birds, British and Foreign is a marvelous addition to a collection. With colour plates of gorgeously detailed illustrations and information on the provenance and keeping of various species of pet bird, this book is a delight to behold. It can also be difficult to track down the older more valuable editions although it is not hard to find reprints.

The first edition (Cassel: London, 1878) contains fifty-six colour plates and is valued around $500. Subsequent editions from the late nineteenth century contain an additional colour plate and generally sell at similar rates to the first edition. It is possible to find copies valued as low as $100, although these often have been subject to damage or wear and tear.