Catalog Archive
Auction 130, Lot 810

"Sanderling in Summer Plumage - Winter Plumage", Selby, Prideaux John

Subject: Natural History, Birds

Period: 1864 (circa)

Publication: Illustrations of British Ornithology

Color: Hand Color

Size:
22 x 27 inches
55.9 x 68.6 cm
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Prideaux John Selby, a contemporary of John James Audubon, composed his illustrations of birds with scientific accuracy in natural settings. Like Audubon, his images are life-sized and there are other interesting parallels between the two men's work; both worked with the Scottish engraver W.H. Lizars, and both works were printed on elephant folio Whatman paper. Selby distinguished himself, however, by engraving many of the plates for his large folio set himself. His work was first published between 1821 and 1834. It was very popular and went through a number of additional editions. This fine illustration (Plate XXXVI) shows both the summer and winter plumage of the Sanderling. It is printed on paper watermarked 1864. The size takes in the entire folio sheet.

References:

Condition: A

There are a couple faint spots in the blank margins.

Estimate: $200 - $250

Sold for: $120

Closed on 12/2/2009

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