Birds · 20th century
€ 399
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good antique condition with light age toning, minor foxing, small marks and natural paper wear consistent with age. Please study the photos carefully.
A decorative pair of antique British bird-of-prey prints from Charles Stonham’s The Birds of the British Islands, illustrated by Lilian M. Medland and published in London by E. Grant Richards in the early 20th century.
This pair shows two elegant landscape-format harrier plates:
Left print:
Marsh Harrier
Scientific name: Circus aeruginosus
Also known as Western Marsh Harrier or Eurasian Marsh Harrier. Older English names include Moor Buzzard.
Right print:
Hen Harrier
Scientific name: Circus cyaneus
The brown female and immature birds are often called Ringtails because of their barred tails; the pale male Hen Harrier is famously nicknamed the Grey Ghost or Ghost of the Moor.
Both birds are British raptors associated with open landscapes, marshes, reedbeds and moorland. Harriers are especially graceful birds of prey, known for their low, gliding hunting flight over open country. The soft monochrome drawing, atmospheric backgrounds and fine feather detail make this pair especially suitable for a study, library, country house, hallway, or natural-history wall arrangement.
The prints are sold unframed. The framed and interior images are for display inspiration only and not always shown on scale.
Condition:
Good antique condition with light age toning, minor foxing, small marks and natural paper wear consistent with age. Please study the photos carefully.
Period:
Early 20th century, circa 1908
Artist / Maker:
Charles Stonham, author
Lilian M. Medland, illustrator
Publisher:
E. Grant Richards, London
Medium:
Monochrome ornithological plates on paper
Style:
Natural history, ornithology, British country house, antique bird print, wildlife art
Keywords:
Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, ringtail, grey ghost, moor buzzard, British bird print, bird of prey, raptor print, harrier print, antique ornithology, Charles Stonham, Lilian Medland, British birds, natural history print, monochrome bird plate, country house decor, library wall art, antique wildlife print, 1908 bird plate
For your records: HathiTrust catalogues Stonham’s work as The Birds of the British Islands, illustrated by Lilian M. Medland and published in London by E. G. Richards, 1906–1911. RSPB notes the Marsh Harrier as the largest harrier and the Hen Harrier female/immature as the “ringtail”; the pale male Hen Harrier is widely nicknamed the “ghost of the moor.”
