La Baleine Franche (Right Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840

€ 260

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1840
Sheet size: 16.5 × 25.6 cm (6.5 × 10.1 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14320-10

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Minor age-related toning and scattered light foxing, with small binding traces along the upper edge as issued. Original hand-coloring remains fresh and well preserved.

About this sheet

La Baleine Franche (Right Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840

An impressive hand-colored engraving portraying the enormous right whale amid towering Arctic ice formations. Small whaling figures and boats create a powerful sense of scale, evoking both the majesty of the creature and humanity's enduring relationship with the sea.

The scene was designed by the distinguished French natural history artist Édouard Traviès and engraved by Beyer & Mancoux for publication by Furne in Paris circa 1840. The image balances scientific interest with dramatic Romantic sensibilities, making it equally appealing to collectors of maritime art and natural history illustration.

Sold unframed. Framed images are for inspiration only and not always to scale.