This rare copper plate engraving with hand-colouring is from the first edition of Illustrations of British Ornithology by Prideaux John Selby. Published in Edinburgh by William Lizars (1821-34) and printed on watermarked Whatman paper.Prideaux John Selby was an English ornithologist, botanist, artist and landowner. Selby was born at Alnwick in Northumberland and studied at University College, Oxford. Selby is best known for his “Illustrations of British Ornithology”, the first set of life-sized illustrations of British birds.He also wrote “Illustrations of Ornithology” with Sir William Jardine. Many of the illustrations in his works were drawn from specimens in his collection. In addition to the above works he contributed to Jardine's “Naturalist's Library”, namely in the volumes on Pigeons (1835) and Parrots (1836) or the latter illustrated by Edward Lear. Size: 25.75in x 20.5in (62cm x 49cm)

The print is in excellent condition with small tear to left edge - please inspect the image carefully as it is very accurate.