Jagdfalk. Jerfalcons antique print. Brehm's Tierleben chromolithograph c1869.

by Brehm, Alfred Edmund

Chromolithograph for Illustrirtes Tierleben (Illustrations of Animal Life).

Interesting strata in the terrain of this northern waterside scene by well-travelled writer, Alfred Edmund Brehm (1829-1884). This fine lithograph is from the first edition of this popular beautifully illustrated zoological publication. Brehm found an even larger opportunity for observation of unusual animals after becoming a zoo director in Hamburg.

Born in Renthendorf, Germany, Alfred Brehm and his siblings were encouraged to read by their mother. Influenced also by his father, famous pastor and ornithologist, Christian Ludwig Brehm, Alfred initially specialized in ornithological writings, but became better known as a zoological author after publication of his well-illustrated and expressively described lives of animals, Illustrirtes Thierlebe. Brehm consulted with and derived information from the writings of many eminent zoologists, and even referenced ancient authors' writings. His first edition was dedicated to the Zoological Society of Hamburg and was published in Leipzig, Germany between 1864 and 1869 by the Bibliographisches Institut under the direction of Herrman Julius Meyer. Based on the watercolours of German artist, Robert Kretschmer (1812-1872), the colour-printed lithographic illustrations in this first edition were particularly fine.

In good condition, this page measures 10 x 6 5/8 inches (approximately 255 x 170mm). Illustrations measures 8 x 5 1/8 inches (20 x 13cm).