Harpyopsis Novae-Guineae, John Gould Harpy Eagle. Magnificent lithograph c1875.

by Gould, John

The grandest of all John Gould Eagles, this fabulous hand-coloured lithograph fills the page. This illustration was used for the cover illustration of Peyton Skipworth's book on Great Bird Illustrators and their Art 1830-1930. 

Original hand-coloured lithograph of the New Guinea Harpy Eagle by William Hart for John Gould's final work The 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 colleague, ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe who was in charge of the bird collection at the British Museum.

Size: 535 x 370 mm (21 x 14.5 inches). The actual hand-coloured lithograph is way superior to this illustration. There is a previous non-conservation-mount burn at 530 x 350mm, which will be covered when it is framed.