Antique Maps & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 4722:
Description
This imperial quarto, originally hand-colored lithograph is from Philip Sclater’s
Exotic Ornithology containing figures and descriptions of new or rare species of American birds. The work was published in London by Bernard Quaritch between 1866 and 1869. All of the illustrations were completed by Joseph Smit.
The lithographs from this work are considered among the finest Smit ever produced. “Smit has done an excellent job with these plates, for the lovingly detailed birds stand out sharply against their backgrounds of trees, branches and leaves. It is obvious that Smit enjoyed painting the leaves as well as the birds, for they are beautifully executed” (Coues)
The work was intended to illustrate "the many new and rare ornithologicalic forms that have been recently discovered in nearly every part of the world’s surface. As it progressed, however, the authors found that it would be more convenient to restrict it to the birds of the Neotropical Region — that is America south of the United States. No other part of the world can vie with Tropical America in the richness of its avifauna; and nowhere else have so many brilliant discoveries been recently made" (Anker).
Paper Size: ~ 13 3/4" by 10 3/8"
Paper Type or Special Features: Originally Hand-colored Lithograph
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor marks or imperfections to be expected with age. There is an inked library stamp / small ownership sticker to verso that is located to the edge of the sheet and does not affect the image. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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