This exquisite lithograph is from the first edition of John Gould's A Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans. The work was published in London between 1833 and 1835.

Many consider this work to contain the most stunning images Gould ever produced. The toucans are represented with true-to-life details. Rich, luminous colors and splendid composition combine to make the Toucans come to life on the page.

Gould was the foremost bird artist and publisher in Great Britain, publishing over 15 folio sets. He employed the best artists of his day to complete his works. A Monograph of the Ramphastidae features lithographs after Gould himself, his wife Elizabeth, Edward Lear, H. C. Richter, and W. Hart.

The toucan family is limited to Mexico, Central and South America and some West Indian islands. The first time that any member of the family was described was by Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes in his "de la natural hystoria de las Indias" (Toledo, 1526, chapter 42), in 1555 Pierre Belon included an illustration of its beak in his "L'Histoire de la nature des oyseaux" (Paris, 1555, p.184). Andre Thevet first used the name 'Toucan' with a long description, and a woodcut of a whole bird, in his "Singularitez de la France" (Paris, 1555, pp.88-90). The Latin name "Burhynchus" or "Ramphestes" (in reference to the size of the beak) was suggested by Conrad Gesner ("Icones Avium", 1560, p.130), and Linnaeus later adopted Aldrovandus' corrupted form of the latter ("Ramphastos") which is how the family was still recognized at the time of the publication of the present image.


Paper Size: ~ 14 1/4" by 21 1/4"


Paper Type or Special Features: Originally Hand-colored Lithograph

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be some occasional very light fox marks or text offset to the paper which is common to plates from this work. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.