Pretty Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Pseudogerygone chrysogastra Gould lithograph c1875.

by Gould, John

John Gould Flycatcher antique print circa 1875-1888.

Original hand-coloured lithograph by William Hart for John Gould's final work "Birds of New Guinea and the Adjacent Papuan Islands, including many new species recently discovered in Australia" published in London between 1875 and 1888.

'The Bird Man' John Gould (1804-1881) was a brilliant ornithologist who devoted his life to the study of birds. He had a fine eye for detail and knew his limitations as an artist, so he employed the finest lithographers of the day and closely monitored their work. He was also an astute business man and obtained subscribers to each of his grand publications to assist with his finances. After Gould's death, publication of this work was completed by Gould's friend, ornithologist Richard Bowdler-Sharpe who was in charge of the bird collection at the British Museum.

In good condition, 510 x 380 mm (20 x 15 inches) as issued, the scanned image is not nearly as nice as the actual hand-coloured lithograph.