The following lots are from Anatole de Demidoff's "Voyage dans la Russie Méridionale et la Crimée...Hongrie...Moldavie." These plates were executed about 1837 and are considered the finest plates ever produced on Russian natural history. The plates are after Travies, Pretre and Oudart, all renowned natural history artists of the period. The ichthyological plates are of a great beauty and belong to the very best ever made on this subject. Only thirty-two plates were produced. Demidoff (1812-1870) was a well-known traveler, who married Princess Mathilde, daughter of Jerome Bonaparte. Plates are approximately 10.5" x 16" and are fine copper engravings with the most beautiful original color imaginable, many with gold highlighting.

Handsome pair of ray-finned fishes native to the Black Sea. These small fish are relatives of the ferocious Piranha, as evidenced by their very visible and large teeth. The colors are pale to dark gray finished in delicate gold highlights to distinguish each tiny scale.

References:

Condition: B

Bit of light foxing.