Aracari Toucan. Rhamphastos aracari. Hand-coloured copperplate engraving. RP Nodder c1804

by Nodder, Richard Polydore

Antique print of early Toucan by R.P. Nodder.

Wonderful depiction and opaque colour of this fine Toucan for George Shaw's Naturalist's Miscellany: or, coloured figures of natural objects; drawn and described immediately from nature. London: Nodder and Co., published between 1789 and 1813. Shaw wrote the text in both English and Latin for all 24 volumes of this ornithology.

Richard Polydore Nodder (1774-1823) succeeded his father who had been "botanic painter to Her Majesty", Frederick Polydore Nodder (1751-1801). Frederick and his son Richard were animal painters, draughtsmen and engravers in natural history. Frederick's wife, Elizabeth assisted greatly in compiling and publishing their work. For the first few years after her husband's death the engravings were appended with "by E. Nodder & Son".

This antique print is in fine condition - other than being printed a little crookedly on the page (which would be rectified when framed). Page size is 235 x 140mm (9 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches). Plate impression, 133 x 127mm (5 1/4 x 5 inches)