Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1809
Sheet size
37 × 53 cm (14.6 × 20.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05991-191
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Very good impression with mild age toning and a occasional tiny spots; wide margins and clear plate mark. Text pages very good, lightly toned with a few small light spots. Minor edge tears are present on both sheets.
This original hand-colored copperplate engraving depicts the Manx shearwater, shown after the Latin legend “Procellaria puffinus B. Linn.” (now Puffinus puffinus; Dutch: Noordse pijlstormvogel). A sleek oceanic flier of the family Procellariidae, it breeds on North Atlantic islands and coasts, spending most of its life at sea and returning to burrows at night. The artist captures the mottled gray upperparts, clean white underparts and the distinctive tube-nosed bill used for long-distance, storm-riding navigation.
The plate comes from Nederlandsche Vogelen, volgens hunne huishouding, aert en eigenschappen beschreeven (Amsterdam, 1770–1829), the landmark first survey of Dutch birds by Cornelis Nozeman and Martinus Houttuyn, with plates produced by the Sepp family. Printed on laid paper and finished by hand, the series is prized for its scientific accuracy and refined natural coloring. The accompanying original Dutch text pages provide rich historical and scientific observations on the species, its behavior, nesting habits, and physical characteristics, as understood in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. With Dutch names "de noordsche of blaauwe-aschgraauwe storm- of onweers-vogel." noted.
Framing tips: Pair with a soft ivory or pale gray mount to echo the bird’s plumage, and a dark walnut or ebonised frame for a classic natural-history presentation. A slim gilt slip can add a museum finish. Use UV-protective glazing to preserve the hand-colo
