Antique Prints, Maps, & Books of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 80951:
Description
This is volume 3 with 78 remarkable ornithology lithographs with hand-finished color from the esteemed John Gould’s
Birds of Asia published in London between 1850 and 1883. The volume is bound in full black morocco, lavishly gilt.
Birds of Asia featured some of the most vibrant varieties of birds to be found around the world due to the wide reaching natural fauna of the expansive geographical region. The work took thirty-four years to complete and is considered one of Gould’s greatest accomplishments. The backgrounds should also be given particular note, as it was clear Gould was especially drawn to the natural flora and delineated the bird’s surroundings with great detail.
John Gould created nearly 3000 hand-colored plates of animals in his extensive career. Gould gained much of his knowledge by observation and experience and contributed greatly to scientific knowledge at the time. Gould is believed to have done the original sketches for all of the plates. He utilized many talented artists to help create the finished lithograph including his wife Elizabeth Coxen Gould, Edward Lear, Joseph Wolf, William Hart, and H. C. Richter. Even at the time of publication, Gould’s plates were very expensive and only sold to a small set of subscribers. Due to the limited subscriber list, the plates remain rare and of high value for collectors today.
Provenance: Book plate of Cecil George Savile Foljambe; Library of Carnegie Museum Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, purchase date November 22, 1910
Paper Size: ~ 14 1/4" by 21 1/4"
Paper Type or Special Features: Volume 3 with 78 Lithographs
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. There can be minor fox marks or faint text offset as is common to Gould plates, but generally excellent condition. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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