About this sheet
Original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting the Superb Lyrebird and the Common Tailorbird, published in Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s celebrated “Bilderbuch für Kinder” in 1796.
The plate is headed “Vögel LV / Aves LV / Oiseaux LV” and was described by Bertuch as “Merkwürdige Vögel” – Remarkable Birds. The original contents identify the two species as “Die prächtige Mänura” and “Der Schneidervogel.” ([Heidelberg Historical Collections][1])
Fig. 1 – Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)
Historically called “Die prächtige Mänura” and originally classified as Maenura superba. The Superb Lyrebird is one of Australia’s most extraordinary native birds. The male is famous for its spectacular ornamental tail, which can be raised and spread into an elaborate lyre-like display. The engraving emphasizes this remarkable plumage, which dominates the upper half of the composition.
Fig. 2 – Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
Historically called “Der Schneidervogel” and identified in Bertuch’s period as Motacilla sartoria. The Common Tailorbird is a small Asian songbird famous for its unusual nesting behavior. It uses plant fibres or similar material to stitch the edges of leaves together, creating a protective cradle in which its nest is constructed. The plate charmingly illustrates both the bird and the distinctive leaf nest with young birds inside.
The identification of these two birds is confirmed by the period contents of Bertuch’s work and by another cataloged example of plate Vögel LV dated 1796. ([Heidelberg Historical Collections][1])
Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822) was a German publisher, writer and patron of the arts. His monumental “Bilderbuch für Kinder” (Picture Book for Children), first published in Weimar in 1790, became one of the great illustrated educational encyclopedias of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its hundreds of engraved and hand-colored plates introduced readers to animals, plants, geography, science, technology, antiquity and cultures from around the world. The complete work eventually comprised approximately 1,185 plates containing around 6,000 individual illustrations. ([Landesbibliothek - Land Steiermark][2])
This is an especially appealing Bertuch bird plate because it combines two highly distinctive species and illustrates their remarkable natural characteristics: the extravagant tail display of the Australian lyrebird and the ingenious leaf-sewn nest of the Asian tailorbird.
Condition:
Good antique condition with light age-related toning, scattered small spots and foxing, and minor handling marks consistent with a print more than two centuries old. The original hand coloring remains attractive. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.
The engraving is inserted in an acid-free matting board.
Please note: This is an original antique hand-colored copper engraving from 1796, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.
Other companion bird and natural-history plates from Bertuch’s “Bilderbuch für Kinder” are also available separately.
