Europe · 19th century
€ 290
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Both plates are in very good condition with sharp impressions and strong coloring on the geological sections. Light toning at the paper edges, consistent with age, but no major defects.
Antique Fossil Mammal Prints – Mastodon, Mammoth & Megatherium, c.1880
This pair of original lithographs originates from Schubert’s Naturgeschichte, a celebrated 19th-century natural history encyclopedia. The plates depict fossil mammals and prehistoric vertebrates, highlighting discoveries that shaped early paleontology.
Plate XV presents a wide array of extinct mammals and related forms. Dominating the sheet is the imposing Mastodon giganteum, illustrated alongside a detailed tooth fossil. Other species include Sivatherium giganteum, an extinct giraffid; Palaeotherium magnum, an early relative of horses and tapirs; Anoplotherium commune; and Hippiarion gracile, a primitive horse. Marine and flying species are also shown, such as Zeuglodon cetioides (early whale), Odontopteryx toliapicus (toothed bird), and the fossil bat Vespertilio parisiensis. The lower section includes a geological cross-section of the Vienna Basin, illustrating the fossil-bearing strata from which these remains were derived.
Plate XVII continues with Quaternary and Tertiary vertebrates, beginning with the woolly mammoth Elephas primigenius and the giant Irish elk Cervus megaceros. Other highlights include Rhinoceros tichorhinus (woolly rhinoceros) and Megatherium cuvieri, a giant ground sloth. At the top are comparative skulls of Bos primigenius (aurochs), Ursus spelaeus (cave bear), and a human skull from Purfos cave, underscoring the contemporary fascination with prehistoric man. A geological profile at the base details fossil-bearing deposits in Patagonia.
These plates combine artistry and scientific precision, exemplifying the 19th-century ambition to reconstruct the deep past through paleontological evidence. They make a striking display, particularly as a pair, and appeal to collectors of paleontology, geology, and natural history illustration.
Condition report:
Both plates are in very good condition with sharp impressions and strong coloring on the geological sections. Light toning at the paper edges, consistent with age, but no major defects. Plate marks visible.
Framing tips:
Best presented as a pair in identical frames. A dark wood or black frame with an ivory mat brings out the fossil detail, while a double mat with a stone-grey outer border emphasizes the subtle coloring of the geological cross-sections. They are ideally suited for display in a study, office, or collector’s gallery.
Technique: Lithograph (partially hand-colored)
Maker: Schubert, Germany, c.1880
