Birds · 19th century
€ 180
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition for its age, with slight toning and minor foxing mainly in the margins. The paper is strong with no tears or repairs, and the hand colouring remains vivid and clear.
Songbirds & Tropical Birds Print: Hornbill, Bee-eater, Crow – Antique 1867
This beautiful antique print depicts a diverse collection of songbirds and tropical birds, including hornbills, bee-eaters, crows, finches, and swallows, rendered in detailed hand-coloured engravings. It originates from the Atlas der Natuurlijke Geschiedenis voor scholen en huisgezinnen, adapted into Dutch by T.C. Winkler after Traugott Bromme, and published in Amsterdam by J.C. Loman in 1867. Created for educational use, this print highlights both European and exotic bird species, reflecting the breadth of 19th-century zoological studies.
The labelled figures include:
1. House sparrow (Passer domesticus)
2. Pipit (Anthus species)
3. Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
4. Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)
5. Green bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
6. Finch (Fringillidae species)
7. Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
8. Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)
9. Rosefinch (Carpodacus species)
10. Hornbill (Bucerotidae species)
11. Roller (Coracias garrulus)
12. Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
13. Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
14. Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
15. Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
16. Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
17. Golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
18. Bird-of-paradise (Paradisaeidae species)
19. Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
20. Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
21. Sand martin (Riparia riparia)
22. Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
The engraving technique is copper engraving with meticulous hand colouring, providing sharp feather details and naturalistic colours for each bird. Birds are shown perched, flying, or foraging in a stylised landscape, combining decorative beauty with scientific accuracy. These prints served as essential learning tools in schools and home libraries before photography was widely used in ornithology.
Condition summary:
Good condition for its age, with slight toning and minor foxing mainly in the margins. The paper is strong with no tears or repairs, and the hand colouring remains vivid and clear.
Framing tips:
Frame this print in a black, dark wood, or walnut frame with a cream or off-white mount to enhance the vibrant colours and fine engravings. For traditional settings, a gold frame adds warmth and antique charm. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve colour quality and prevent further toning. This antique ornithological print will enrich any bird art collection or natural history interior with educational beauty and timeless decorative appeal.
