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Paradise Parrot Chromolithograph. Gould. 1955.

Name: Paradise Parrot Chromolithograph. Gould. 1955.
SKU: as1081a176
Price: 160.00 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

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The Birds of Australia was a book written by John Gould and published in seven volumes between 1840 and 1848, with a supplement of other birds published between 1851 and 1869. It was the first comprehensive survey of the birds of Australia and included descriptions of 681 species, 328 of which were new to Western science and were first described by Gould. Gould and his wife Elizabeth née Coxen travelled to Australia from England in 1838 to prepare the book. They spent a little under two years collecting specimens for the book. John travelled widely and made extensive collections of Australian birds and other fauna. Elizabeth, who had illustrated several of his earlier works, made hundreds of drawings from specimens for publication in The Birds of Australia. The plates of the book were produced by lithography. Elizabeth produced 84 plates before she died in 1841, Edward Lear produced one, Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins contributed one and the remaining 595 plates were produced by H. C. Richter from Elizabeth's drawings and were published under his name. The accompanying letterpress descriptions of the birds are authored by John Gould and were printed by the firm R. & J. E. Taylor. Gould created 250 copies of his survey and today they realise in excess of £200,000 GBP at auction. In addition to this tome, Gould also studied Exotic birds from Europe and the Americas.

Here we are delighted to offer an astonishing 'Psephotus Pulcherrimus' Chromolithograph. The paradise parrot was a colourful medium-sized parrot native to the grassy woodlands of the Queensland – New South Wales border area of eastern Australia. Once moderately common within its fairly restricted range, the last live bird was seen in 1927. Extensive and sustained searches in the years since then have failed to produce any reliable evidence of it, and it is the only Australian parrot recorded as disappearing and presumed extinct. The plumage was extraordinarily colourful, even by parrot standards, a mixture of turquoise, aqua, scarlet, black and brown. The tail was almost the same length as the body, unusual for a bird that, although a rapid, undulating flyer, spent almost all of its time on the ground. The chromolithograph was printed by hand in 1954 by K.G. Lohse of Frankfurt, made using the same lithographer's stones (plate) commissioned by Gould. This plate features layers of printing and is near identical to those produced with Gould's oversight, with deep glossy tones, rich textures, details are absolutely astonishing.

The lithograph is mounted in a luxury handmade, hand-finished and wonderfully gilded hammered wooden frame with a confidently proportioned decorated mount. A fine gold fillet has been added as a very sophisticated contrast for the plate. The frame is renaissance gold (the main face features thick foil incorporating real gold) and with good light this piece just glows, with a wonderful, deep and warm gold tone (even our professional photographs can't adequately capture the beautiful frame colour). The glass is museum quality with low reflection, amazing colour transparency and high U.V. absorption to protect the works. The archival acid-free materials and professional techniques used to protect and frame this work will ensure that it continues to be enjoyed for many decades to come.

The framed lithograph measures a substantial 64cm tall by 54cm wide.

The work can be shipped, at cost, within the UK or Internationally.

Price

£~~160.00~~

$~~205.92~~ USA

€~~193.39~~

The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 11/NOV/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.

Category Antique Pictures / Engravings / Art > Antique Lithographs Date 1954 1950s Antiques Material Paper Origin English Item code as1081a176 Status Sold

SellerGreystones Fine Interiors

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Greystones Fine Interiors

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Near Peterborough
Cambridgeshire

Tel : 07425 298868

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Paradise Parrot Chromolithograph. Gould. 1955.

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