5317 - Gould, Asia - Pair of Sun-Bird Lithographs

Gould, Asia - Pair of Sun-Bird Lithographs Description of the work: Included in this lot: Vigors' Sun-Bird [Nectarinia Vigorsii Nepaulese Sun-Bird [Nectarinia Nipalensis] Description of the work: This remarkable ornithology lithograph with hand-finished color is from the esteemed John Gould’s Birds of Asia published in London between 1850 and 1883. 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. Trogons, Kingfishers, Sunbirds, Woodpeckers, Pheasants, and Parrots are all featured in the bountiful work. 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: Pen inscription to the front free endpaper that reads 'This book is one of the 41 volumes of John Gould's Illustrated Birds referred to in the Declaration made by me on 21st June 1983/ Geoffrey G.M. [?]Ecleston'. Believed to have been one of Gould's own copies of the work acquired through a Sotheby's auction in 1980. Paper Size: ~ 15" by 22 1/8" Paper Type or Special Features: Originally Hand-colored Lithograph Condition: The work is in very good to excellent condition. There are a few very small, light fox marks at the edges. There may be some faint text offset on some of the plates from the work. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.