"Cinereous Shearwater", Selby, Prideaux John

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 very large and fine illustration (Plate CII) of an arctic seabird is printed on paper watermarked 1864. The size takes in the entire folio sheet.

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Condition: A

There is faint toning on paper edges and a tiny edge tear, all well away from the image.