GOULD, John (1804-1881) and Richard Bowdler SHARPE (1847-1909)

[New Guinea Eagle] Harpyopsis Novae Guineae

London: Taylor and Francis for Henry Sotheran & Co., 1875-88. Hand-coloured lithograph by Gould and William Hart, printed by the Mintern Brothers. Very good condition. Sheet size: 21 5/8 x 14 3/8 inches. 1 7/8" Curly Maple frame, with dark amber finish. Frame size: 30 1/8 x 22 3/4 inches.

A beautiful print from Gould's "Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan islands, including many new species recently discovered in Australia."

This plate is from one of Gould's most exotic works, The Birds of New Guinea, which consists of an extensive series of beautiful plates of birds of paradise, bower birds, parrots, parakeets, cockatoos, kingfishers, and hawk-owls. It is his last full-scale work. Gould prepared the first twelve of the twenty-five parts, and the work was finished posthumously by Sharpe. A broadside "Address to the Subscribers" of The Birds of New Guinea issued by Sotheran and Co. announced: "With respect...to the Birds of New Guinea, we have the pleasure to announce that, having purchased the entire stock and copyrights of Mr. Gould's Magnificent series of Works, we have made immediate preparations for completing those left unfinished; and having retained the services of Mr. Gould's entire staff of artists and colourists, we are confident that the work will be as well performed as during the life of the Author. Mr. Hart...will superintend the whole of the illustrations as heretofore; while the letterpress will be edited by Mr. Bowdler Sharpe, of the British Museum, whose name will be sufficient assurance that nothing will be wanting in this department."

Anker 181; Fine Bird Books (1990), p.102; Nissen, IVB, 373; Sauer, 27; Wood, p.365; Zimmer, pp.262-263.

Item #13561

Price: $1,750.00