Edward Lear Spotted Cormorant, Phalacrocorax punctatus for Gould

by Gould, John

Edward Lear Australian Cormorant print reproduction.

Lansdowne Press printed in 1974 (limited to 500) this print was from one of the few hand-coloured lithographs by Zoological Museum scientific illustrator, Edward Lear, for John Gould's The Birds of Australia originally published in London between 1840 and 1848.

Known as 'the Bird Man', John Gould (1804-1881) was a naturalist who combined his business acumen and fine eye for detail, and employed fine bird lithographers to illustrate birds from around the world. While most people have heard of John Gould, many do not know that his artist wife Elizabeth Gould (1804-1841) finessed her husband's field sketches for lithographic stone plates to be made. She also did over 600 lithographs for his grand publications. Elizabeth died after the birth of their eighth child following their return from Australia. Elizabeth was coached in lithography by Edward Lear, who completed Elizabeth's unfinished lithographs after her death.

This image is of original published size, 21 x 14.5 inches (approx. 53 x 37cm) and in good condition. The paper is not as thick as the original lithographs were, and the ink colour does not have the same longevity as early colour, so we recommend the use of U/V protective glass to minimize fading.

Stock Number: daJGL586.5Price: $60.00