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.

Two beautiful ray-finned fishes native to the Black Sea. Each is pale blue with darker backs. The Corvina nigra has a beautiful rainbow stripe with the scales highlighted in gold.

References:

Condition: A

Minor toning.