Antique Prints, Maps, & Books of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 6747:
Description
Included in this lot:
Great Pitta (Pitta Cyanonota)
Elegant Pitta (Pitta Forsteni)
Description of the work:
This remarkable ornithology lithograph with hand-finished color is from the esteemed John Gould’s
The Birds of New Guinea and the Adjacent Papuan Islands. The work was published in London between 1875-1888.
The Birds of New Guinea was Gould’s last great work. Only 250 sets were published making it one of his most rare works. Richard Bowdler Sharpe completed the work after Gould’s death.
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.
Paper Size: ~ 14 1/2" by 21 1/2"
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 imperfections or faint marks or fox marks to be expected with age. There can be minor fox marks or faint text offset or faint handling nearer to the edges as is common to Gould plates, but generally excellent condition. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
Share this lot:
