Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

The Common Skua: Hand-colored from Dresser's Birds of Europe (1871-1896)

$316.58
$395.7320% Off
£235.51
£294.3820% Off
€264
€33020% Off
CA$433.51
CA$541.8920% Off
A$482
A$602.5120% Off
CHF 251.68
CHF 314.6020% Off
MX$5,867.17
MX$7,333.9720% Off
NOK 3,211.28
NOK 4,014.1020% Off
SEK 3,008.82
SEK 3,761.0220% Off
DKK 2,009.69
DKK 2,512.1120% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

The print is from "The History of the Birds of Europe" by Henry Eeles Dresser, published between 1871 and 1896. This work is noted for its high-quality illustrations and meticulous hand coloring, making it a valuable and sought-after item among collectors. Key Points about the Print: 1. **Author**: Henry Eeles Dresser. 2. **Artist**: John Gerrard Keulemans, a distinguished Dutch painter and illustrator known for his detailed and lifelike bird illustrations. 3. **Publication Period**: 1871-1896. 4. **Print Size**: 9.5 inches by 12.5 inches. 5. **Rarity**: Only about 240 copies were issued, making the prints extremely rare and valuable. 6. **Hand Coloring**: Each print was hand-colored with great attention to detail, ensuring vibrant and accurate depictions. 7. **Quality and Recognition**: The prints are comparable in quality to those of John Gould and Audubon, though produced in smaller quantities. 8. **Scope of Work**: While titled "Birds of Europe," the publication covers species from Europe, parts of Asia, North Africa, and the Caucasus. 9. **Significance**: This work is one of the last great hand-colored bird books and represents a comprehensive snapshot of bird species before significant environmental changes occurred. Additional Context: - Illustrations: The majority of the illustrations in Dresser's volumes were created by John Gerrard Keulemans, with over 650 contributions. Joseph Wolf also contributed, especially to the raptor section. Why This Print is Special: 1. Artistic Excellence: The print showcases the meticulous and lifelike artistry of John Gerrard Keulemans, renowned for his ability to capture the essence of bird species. 2. Historical Value: As part of a rare and limited publication, it offers a glimpse into ornithological studies of the late 19th century. 3. Rarity and Collectibility: With only 240 copies issued, the prints are highly collectible and valued by art and bird enthusiasts alike. 4. Hand-Colored Detail: The hand-colored technique used ensures each print is unique and vividly represents the subject. 5. Cultural Impact: Dresser's work, along with contributions from notable artists like Keulemans and Wolf, stands as a significant achievement in the field of ornithological literature. This comprehensive understanding highlights the significance and value of the print within the context of historical bird illustration and 19th-century scientific documentation. The bird depicted in the illustration is the **Common Skua** (Stercorarius skua), also known as the **Great Skua**. Habitat and Distribution: 1. **Breeding Range**: - **Northern Atlantic**: The Common Skua breeds in regions such as Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, and Scotland, including the Shetland and Orkney Islands. 2. **Wintering Range**: - **Southern Hemisphere**: During the non-breeding season, these birds migrate southwards. They are found in the open ocean across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, ranging as far south as South America, South Africa, and Australia. 3. **Habitat**: - **Coastal Areas**: The Common Skua typically breeds in coastal areas and islands, preferring rugged, remote locations. - **Open Ocean**: Outside the breeding season, they are pelagic, meaning they spend much of their time at sea. Behavior and Diet: - **Aggressive Predators**: Common Skuas are known for their aggressive behavior, often attacking other birds to steal food (kleptoparasitism). They also hunt fish, small mammals, and other birds. - **Nesting**: They nest on the ground, laying eggs in shallow scrapes lined with vegetation. Identification: - **Appearance**: The Common Skua has a robust body, brown plumage, a short tail, and white patches on the wings, which are visible in flight. - **Size**: They are large, stocky birds with a wingspan ranging from 125 to 140 cm (49 to 55 inches). This comprehensive information provides a clear understanding of the Common Skua, its habitat, behavior, and distribution.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8.94 in (22.7 cm)Width: 12.41 in (31.5 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1890
  • Condition:
    Condition: good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling and a very small remain of tape-strip in the top. Please study scan carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13782-91stDibs: LU3054340581602

More From This Seller

View All
Antique Bird Print of the Great Skua 'Female' by Von Wright, 1929
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique bird print titled 'Stercorarius Skua'. Old bird print depicting the Great Skua (Female). This print originates from 'Svenska Foglar Efter Naturen Och Pa Stenritade' by Magnus...
Category

20th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Bird Print of the Long-Tailed Skua by Von Wright, 1929
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique bird print titled 'Stercorarius Longicaudus'. Old bird print depicting the long-tailed skua. This print originates from 'Svenska Foglar Efter Naturen Och Pa Stenritade' by Ma...
Category

20th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Bird Print of Richardson's Skua, 1907
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Bird Print of Richardson's Skua. This print originates from 'Birds of Britain' by J. Lewis Bonhote. Artists and Engravers: J. Lewis Bonhote was an English ornithologist. ...
Category

20th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Bird Print of the Parasitic Jaeger, 1929
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique bird print titled 'Stercorarius Parasiticus'. Old bird print depicting the Parasitic Jaeger. This print originates from 'Svenska Foglar Efter Naturen Och Pa Stenritade' by Magnus von Wright. Artists and Engravers: Printed in Stockholm. Magnus von Wright (1805 - 68) was the first taxidermist working with the vertebrate collections of Helsinki University. Starting out as a taxidermist in the 1820's, he stuffed birds for Societas pro Flora et Fauna Fennica, the oldest scientific society in Finland, and in 1845, became taxidermist at the university's zoological museum. Von Wright made several study journeys to Stockholm and St. Petersburg, and even wrote a short manual on how mount birds. Though a skilful taxidermist, his reputation, like that of his two brothers, Wilhelm and Ferdinand, rests on his skill as a zoological illustrator. In 1859 he published the first handbook on Finnish birds...
Category

20th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Bird Print of the Parasitic Jaeger by Von Wright, 1929
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique bird print titled 'Stercorarius Parasiticus'. Old bird print depicting the Parasitic Jaeger. This print originates from 'Svenska Foglar Efter Naturen Och Pa Stenritade' by Ma...
Category

20th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Bird Print of the Parasitic Jaeger by Von Wright, 1929
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique bird print titled 'Stercorarius Parasiticus'. Old bird print depicting the Parasitic Jaeger. This print originates from 'Svenska Foglar Efter Naturen Och Pa Stenritade' by Ma...
Category

20th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

South Polar Skua, Sea Bird lithograph with hand-colouring, 1928
By After Henrik Gronvold
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Catharacta Maccormicki (South Polar Skua)' Limited edition lithograph with original hand colouring by Henrik Gronvold. From Mathews 'The Birds of Norfolk and Lord Howe...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Animal Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Buffon's Skua - Woodcut Print by Alexander Francis Lydon - 1870
Located in Roma, IT
Buffon's Skua is a modern artwork realized in 1870 by the British artist Alexander Francis Lydon (1836-1917) . Woodcut print, hand colored, published by London, Bell & Sons, 1870. ...
Category

1870s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Richardson's Skua - Woodcut Print by Alexander Francis Lydon - 1870
Located in Roma, IT
Richardson's Skua is a modern artwork realized in 1870 by the British artist Alexander Francis Lydon (1836-1917) . Woodcut print, hand colored, published by London, Bell & Sons, 18...
Category

1870s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Pomerine Skua - Woodcut Print by Alexander Francis Lydon - 1870
Located in Roma, IT
Pomerine Skua is a modern artwork realized in 1870 by the British artist Alexander Francis Lydon (1836-1917) . Woodcut print, hand colored, published by London, Bell & Sons, 1870....
Category

1870s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Skua - Woodcut Print by Alexander Francis Lydon - 1870
Located in Roma, IT
Skua is a modern artwork realized in 1870 by the British artist Alexander Francis Lydon (1836-1917). Woodcut print on ivory-colored paper. Hand-colored, published by London, Bell &...
Category

1870s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Bulwer's Petrel - Woodcut Print by Alexander Francis Lydon - 1870
Located in Roma, IT
Bulwer's Petrel is a modern artwork realized in 1870 by the British artist Alexander Francis Lydon (1836-1917) . Woodcut print, hand colored, published by London, Bell & Sons, 1870...
Category

1870s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut