Lot 37: Dodo Bird Head & Feet

This first edition lithograph is from George Robert Gray's The Genera of Birds: Comprising their generic characters,a notice of the habits of each genus, and an extensive list of species, referred to their several genera. David William Mitchell illustrated the work. The lithographs were completed by the noted Charles Hullmandel who also worked with John Gould. The work was published in London by Longman, Brown, Green, & Longmans between 1844 and 1849.

The anatomical plates of bird heads are of special interest as it is the first published work of Joseph Wolf. Wolf was an exceedingly talented artist and his draugtsmanship is equal to the color plates.

Gray was the curator of the British Museum’s bird collections from 1831 until his death in 1871. He produced the extensive work, The Genera of Birds, in 50 parts between 1844 and 1849. He described over 8,000 species and made extensive effort to include species from all available sources. It is thus considered one of the most elemental works on 19th century ornithology.

~ 10 1/2" by 14 3/4"

Detailed Lithograph

1844

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