Le Harle, La Piette, L'Eider. (Merganser, Piette, Eider) c1837

by Comte de Lacepede

French antique print of finely engraved colourful ducks, c1837.

Fine original hand-coloured engraving c1838 by Massart after the drawing by Oudart for Bernard Germain Etienne de la Ville sur Illon, Comte de Lacepede (1756-1825), who updated the complete works of Buffon's Histoire Naturelle Generale et Particuliere avec la description du cabinet du roi (Natural History, General and Particular with the description from the King’s library), published between 1749 and 1790 by Georg-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788). From 1785, Lacepede assisted with this publication, and following Buffon's death continued to add to and update these marvellous works.

This page is soiled and has been printed off-centre on the plate. (Price reduced accordingly.) Size approximately 24.5 x 15.5cm (9 3/4 x 6 1/8 inches).