"Rhipidura Fuscorufa, Sclater", Gould, John

This gorgeous hand-colored lithograph shows a pair of cinnamon-tailed fantails, a songbird native to the Banda Sea Islands. Drawn and lithographed by W. Hart. John Gould (1804-81) created some of the most beautiful bird prints ever produced and was known throughout the world as "The Bird Man." This lithograph appeared in his The Birds of New Guinea and Adjacent Islands, which was published in 5 volumes between 1875-88. The series was finished by Richard Bowdler Sharpe after Gould's death. Printed by Walter.

References: Sitwell, p. 102.

Condition: B+

Full contemporary color on a lightly toned sheet with a few small chips along the edges, well away from map image. A couple short edge tears have been closed on verso with archival tape.