Ring parrakeet and Blue headed parrakeet – Halsband- en Blauwkopparkiet; G. Edwards – 1760

Description

Two beautiful birds of the family Psittaculidae, parrots of the “old world”. They are small parrots, about 30 to 40 cm in size including tail feathers. The legend tells that is was Onesikritos, a helmsman on Alexander the Great’s fleet, to be the first to bring a live ring-necked parakeet, the first parrot in Europe. Its worldwide popularity as a cage bird has allowed the Rose-ringed parakeet to form feral populations in various places, whether through escape from aviaries or through deliberate release. More than 10,000 fly around in the wild in the Netherlands.

* New wooden frame with gold color and red and gold decoration, with UV resistant glass of museum quality. The frame is included in the price.

Twee prachtige vogels uit de familie der Psittaculidae, papegaaien van de ‘oude wereld’. Het zijn kleine papegaaien, zo’n 30 tot 40 cm groot inclusief staartveren. Volgens de overlevering bracht Onesikritos, een stuurman op de vloot van Alexander de Grote, als eerste een levende halsbandparkiet mee, de eerste papegaaiachtige in Europa. Zijn wereldwijde populariteit als kooivogel heeft ervoor gezorgd dat de halsbandparkiet op verschillende plaatsen verwilderde populaties heeft kunnen vormen, door ontsnappingen uit volières of door opzettelijke vrijlating. In Nederland vliegen er meer dan 10.000 in het wild rond.

*Nieuwe houten lijst met goudkleur en rood/gouden versiering, met UV werend glas van museum kwaliteit. De lijst is inbegrepen in de prijs.

Details

• Type: natural history print, ornithology
• Title: Ring parrakeet and Blue headed parrakeet. Plate 292
• Technique: cupper engraving, contemporary coloured
• Illustrator: George Edwards
• Engraver: George Edwards
• Author: George Edwards
• Date: 1760
• Published in: Gleanings of Natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, fishes, insects, etc..(..), Part 2 by George Edwards in London
• Size print: 23.5 x 18.8 cm (9.3 x 7.4 inches)
• Size paper: 29.0 x 22.8 cm (11.3 x 9.0 inches)
• Verso: blank
• ID: 7450 V
• Source: Nissen 288/289

Condition

Very good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Beautiful print with vivid original coloring.

Zeer goed, voor een gravure van deze leeftijd. Een enkel vlekje in beeld. Scherpe afdruk met fraaie originele inkleuring.

Backgrounds

We proudly offer a selection of bird prints from A Natural History of Uncommon Birds (1743-1751) and Gleaning of Natural History (1758-1764) by George Edwards. Initially published as two separate works, they are now considered as one, with 362 plates in all, with 318 of birds & the balance of various mammals, fish & insects. It was heralded as the most important of all Bird Books, both from an artistic and an ornithological perspective, and time has certainly not dimmed either its luster or appeal.

George Edwards (1694 – 1773) was an English draughtsman and a skilled observer of birds. He was one of the most prominent ornithologists of his day. He worked as Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians, where he was later elected a fellow, and was honored with the Gold Medal of the Royal Society. As the Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians, he oversaw a library of 8,000 volumes. The small honorarium he received for this post liberated him to pursue his ornithological studies and drawings.

In Natural History and Gleanings many foreign species were illustrated for the first time. Often drawn from live specimens held in captivity in London. Edwards etched his own plates and then hand colored several copies before supervising others in the coloring. The result is a work of superb skill and breathtaking color that remains ever popular and is now increasingly rare. Such was the impact of Natural History and Gleanings, that Edwards is considered to have almost single-handedly popularized the art of bird and animal illustration, and is thus known as The Father of British Ornithology’.

George Edwards (1694 1773) was een Engelse tekenaar en een ervaren waarnemer van vogels. Hij was één van de meest vooraanstaande ornithologen van zijn tijd. Hij werkte als bibliothecaris bij het Royal College of Physicians waar hij later werd verkozen tot medelid. Hij werd geëerd met de Gold Medal of the Royal Society. Als bibliothecaris van het Royal College of Physicians hield hij toezicht op een bibliotheek van 8.000 volumes. Het kleine honorarium dat hij voor deze functie ontving gaf hem de ruimte om zijn ornithologische studies en tekeningen te kunnen maken, kleuren en uitgeven.