John Gould Butcher Bird, Cracticus argenteus. Reproduction print

by Gould, John

Australian Silver-backed Butcher-bird. Lansdowne reproduction Gould print.

Published by Lansdowne Press in 1974, this image was reproduced from a hand-coloured lithograph by Henry Constantine Richter for John Gould's The Birds of Australia, published in London between 1840 and 1848.

Known as 'the Bird Man', John Gould (1804-1881), was a naturalist whose love was the field ornithology. He combined his business acumen with his fine eye for detail and obtained subscribers to each of his ventures to be able to employ the best lithographers and supervise their work.

Gould's artist wife, Elizabeth Gould refined her husband's field sketches for the lithographs. She also did over 600 lithographs for her husband's grand publications. Elizabeth Gould died in 1841 after the birth of their eighth child following their return from Australia. Edward Lear was a scientific illustrator for the Zoological Museum in London where John Gould was a curator. Lear's coaching greatly improved Elizabeth's lithographic skill, and he finished the lithographs Elizabeth Gould was unable to complete.

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