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 overall toning and minor foxing mainly in the margins. The paper is strong with no tears or repairs, and the hand colouring remains vibrant and detailed.
Wading Birds & Cranes Print: Flamingo, Stork, Ibis, Bustard – Antique 1867
This elegant antique print depicts a variety of wading birds and cranes, including flamingos, storks, ibises, bustards, and curlews, rendered in fine 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 purposes, this plate introduced 19th-century students to wetland and open plain bird species from across the globe.
The labelled figures include:
1. Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
2. Crowned crane (Balearica pavonina)
3. Great bustard (Otis tarda)
4. Common crane (Grus grus)
5. Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)
6. White stork (Ciconia ciconia)
7. Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
8. Demoiselle crane (Grus virgo)
9. Pelican (Pelecanus species)
10. Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
11. Stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)
12. Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus)
13. Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
14. Ruff (Calidris pugnax)
15. Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
16. Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
17. Redshank (Tringa totanus)
18. Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
19. Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
20. Curlew (Numenius arquata)
21. Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
22. Little bustard (Tetrax tetrax)
23. Eurasian coot (Fulica atra)
24. Wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
The print was produced using copper engraving with meticulous hand colouring, capturing each bird’s unique posture, plumage patterns, and bill shapes. Birds are shown walking, wading, or feeding within stylised wetland and grassland landscapes, merging scientific precision with visual charm. These plates served as important teaching tools in schools and libraries before photographic field guides existed.
Condition summary:
Good condition for its age, with slight overall toning and minor foxing mainly in the margins. The paper is strong with no tears or repairs, and the hand colouring remains vibrant and detailed.
Framing tips:
Frame this print in a black, dark wood, or walnut frame with a cream or off-white mount to highlight its refined colours and engraving clarity. For traditional interiors, a gold frame adds warmth and antique elegance. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve colours and prevent further toning. This antique ornithological print will enrich any bird art collection or natural history interior, bringing timeless beauty and educational significance to your wall.
