Keulemans Pitta Sanghirana (Schlegel) male and juvenile. Lithograph c1878.

by Keulemans, John Gerrard

Keulemans Pitta Sanghirana from Celebes and Sanghir Islands. Lithographic plate signed by JGK.

Original hand-coloured lithograph by eminent bird illustrator and naturalist John Gerrard Keulemans (1842-1912) for Ornithological Miscellany published in London between 1875 and 1878 by George Dawson Rowley (1822-1878).

Keulemans' skill in the art of lithography is evident in his hand-coloured lithographs for this rarely-seen publication. In 1869 fellow ornithologist and colleague of John Gould, Richard Bowdler-Sharp persuaded the well-travelled Dutchman Keulemans to move from Brussels to London, the most important centre for publications illustrating birds.

There is a very faint horizontal indentation to the right of the tail. Otherwise it would be a higher price. It is a beautiful plate nevertheless. Full page as published 33 x 25cm (13 x 10 inches).