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Ornithological Treasures: A Collection of 19th Century Hand-Colored Bird Prints

About the Item

This beautiful collection of 19th-century hand-colored bird prints showcases a variety of exotic and native species. Each print is meticulously detailed, featuring vibrant colors and lifelike representations of the birds in their natural habitats. The collection includes birds from different geographical regions, with many species depicted perched on branches or in foliage, enhancing the naturalistic appeal of the prints. The prints were crafted using copperplate engraving, followed by expert hand-coloring, a technique that gives each bird a distinct presence and vibrancy. The fine lines and shading, combined with the subtle gradation of colors, highlight the skill of the engraver and colorists involved in these works. The creators of this collection were prominent artists and naturalists of the 19th century, whose contributions to ornithology and art were highly regarded. This collection reflects the scientific curiosity and artistic talent of the period, offering a window into the world of 19th-century ornithology. The combination of scientific accuracy and artistic elegance in these prints continues to make them highly valued in the art and natural history worlds. The prints are from *Das Buch der Welt* (1847), a comprehensive 19th-century natural history publication. *Das Buch der Welt*, often translated as *The Book of the World*, was a series that included a wide range of subjects, including ornithology, geology, and other branches of natural history, and featured numerous detailed and colored engravings. The style of the bird prints, particularly the hand-coloring and copperplate engraving technique, is consistent with 19th-century natural history illustration. Additionally, the dates visible on some of the prints (e.g., 1847, 1853) correspond with the time period of Das Buch der Welt. This German publication aimed to educate the public about the natural world and often included ornithological prints that were similar in style to those created by well-known figures like Martinet, Gould, and Selby. The engravers of *Das Buch der Welt* (1847) were a team of skilled artisans and illustrators, many of whom were well-versed in creating natural history engravings. Unfortunately, specific names of all the engravers associated with this large work are not as widely known or as well-documented as those from other major natural history books like Buffon’s *Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux* or Audubon’s *Birds of America*. However, some general insights into the publication can be offered: 1. **Karl Joseph Brodtmann** (1787–1862) - Although his involvement with *Das Buch der Welt* is not specifically documented, Brodtmann was one of the leading lithographers and engravers of natural history subjects in the German-speaking world during this period. He collaborated on several significant scientific works and may have influenced similar publications from this era. 2. **Friedrich Wilhelm Goedsche** (1805–1862) - Another German natural history engraver of the 19th century, Goedsche worked on detailed lithographs and illustrations for scientific works. His style aligns with what might be found in books like *Das Buch der Welt*. 3. **Albertus Seba’s Collaborators** - While Seba himself was earlier, many of the engraving techniques used in *Das Buch der Welt* were inspired by earlier 18th-century traditions. His engravers might have set a precedent that other 19th-century German engravers followed. As *Das Buch der Welt* was a comprehensive work covering various subjects of natural history, it is likely that the engravings were carried out by a group of skilled anonymous or lesser-known engravers working under a publishing house. These artisans were often hired by large printing firms to produce accurate and detailed illustrations that accompanied the text. For more precise identification, it would be necessary to find specific credits or colophons within original copies of *Das Buch der Welt*. These sections often list the names of the individuals responsible for the engravings and other technical aspects of the publication. Here are the birds depicted in the prints of this collection: 1. European Jay (Garrulus glandarius) - Depicted in the first image, perched among the foliage. This species is known for its striking blue wing feathers. 2. Various Sandpipers - The second print shows a group of shorebirds, likely including species such as the Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and other small sandpiper species common to European wetlands. The eggs below are likely from these shorebirds. 3. Crested Shrike (Lanius cristatus), Green Shrike (likely a type of Tchagra or Boubou), and a Scarlet-breasted bird, possibly a type of Tanager - These three birds, shown together in a tropical setting, represent strikingly different species from the shrike family and tropical species. 4. Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) - A trio of these small Arctic birds, known for their white and brown plumage, is depicted in the fourth print. 5. Smew (Mergellus albellus) and Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) - These diving ducks, known for their crests and distinctive markings, are shown in the fifth print. 6. Pigeons or Doves - The sixth print shows three species of colorful pigeons, including the Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) and possibly a Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica). 7. Rosy Starling (Pastor roseus) - Depicted in the seventh print, this bird is characterized by its pink body and black head. Another bird in the print is a juvenile or winter plumage starling. 8. Eurasian Golden Orioles (Oriolus oriolus) - The final print shows these brightly colored yellow and black birds perched near a nest. These species reflect a wide range of habitats, from temperate Europe to tropical regions, and highlight the diversity of birds depicted in 19th-century natural history engravings.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.44 in (26.5 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 8
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper
  • Period:
    Mid-19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1850
  • Condition:
    Condition: good, given age. Light foxing, soilng and creasing. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scans carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13535-50 and more1stDibs: LU3054341606512

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