Lot 35997: Elliot, Folio - Parrot-billed Auk

This spectacular large folio lithograph is from Daniel Giraud Elliot's The New and Heretofore Unfigured Species of the Birds of North America. The work was published in New York for the author between 1866 and 1869. Each lithograph features original hand-coloring. The plates were predmoninantly executed by Bowen of Philadelphia after originals by Elliot and celebrated natural history artist, Joseph Wolf. It is believed only 200 copies of this work were ever printed.

The work generally depicted life-size renderings of birds that were not previously illustrated by Alexander Wilson or John James Audubon. It had a particular focus on birds of the American West including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and the Rocky Mountains. It also depicts some birds from the Alaskand and Arctic regions. Many of birds were drawn from birds brought back from government-led expeditions in the West as well as private sources including John Xantus de Vesey.

Elliot’s lithographs are some of the most valuable American bird plates. Elliot was a prominent American zoologist. He was one of the founders of the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the American Ornithologists’ Union. Elliot was also curator of zoology at Chicago’s Field Museum.

In the preface, Elliot describes his intentions for the work: "Since the time of Wilson and Audubon, no work has been published upon American Ornithology, containing life-size representations of the various species that have been discovered since the labors of those great men were finished. The valuable productions of Cassin, as well as the revised edition of the ninth volume of the Pacific Rail Road Report, the joint labor of Messrs. Baird, Cassin and Lawrence had indeed appeared . but no attempt had been made to continue the works of the first great American naturalists in a similar manner . It was, therefore, with the desire to contribute . towards the elucidation of the comparatively little known species of the Birds of North America, their habits and economy, as well as to render their forms familiar so far as life-size representation of them might serve to do, that I undertook the present publication."

~ 18" by 23 1/2"

Originally Hand-colored Folio Lithograph

1866-1869

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may me be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image and contact us with any questions.

The New and Heretofore Unfigured Species of the Birds of North America