Mammals · 19th century
€ 160
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
General age-related toning. Small punch holes in right margin. Some wear and soiling. Blank verso. Please study image carefully.
Original antique print of otters, martens, an ermine and a squirrel. This engraved print originates from a very rare unknown Dutch work. The plates are similar to the plates in the famous German work: ‘Bilderbuch fur Kinder' by F.J. Bertuch, published 1790-1830 in Weimar. This could be Dutch edition of this work (no references found), or a work that used the Bertuch plates. Published circa 1820.
This image is a vintage engraving from the collection, labeled "Viverr. Dieren X" and "Quadrup. X," indicating it is the tenth in a series on viverrids and quadrupeds.
The engravings depict:
1. At the top right, there is an animal that resembles a beaver, identifiable by its broad tail and rounded body, which are adaptations for its aquatic lifestyle.
2. To the left of the beaver, there is a dark-furred animal with a long body on a rock, possibly a mink or a similar semi-aquatic mammal.
3. Below the mink-like creature, there is another long-bodied animal with a lighter underbelly and darker back, which could be a ferret or a weasel.
4. On the bottom left, a distinctly marked squirrel is shown in an energetic pose, characterized by its bushy tail and alert stance.
5. On the bottom right, there is a creature with a sleek body and short legs, which could be a type of small otter or a similar mammal, depicted here in a resting pose on land.
6. Just above the squirrel, in the center row to the right, there is another animal that seems to be a smaller rodent, possibly a young beaver or a muskrat, given its proximity to the adult beaver and similarity in fur texture and color.
The style of the engravings is consistent with scientific illustrations from the 18th or 19th century, meant to provide detailed representations of each species. Each animal is presented in a natural setting that suggests its habitat or behaviors. For example, the beaver is near water, the squirrel is amidst foliage, and the others are on land or rocks, which might indicate their terrestrial or semi-aquatic nature. This collection appears to be a comprehensive study of various quadrupeds, possibly intended for educational use or as a reference for naturalists.
