Edward Lear Parrot Prints 1842 Sapphire-crowned Psittacule

Sapphire-crowned Psittacule
4 1/8 by 6 1/2 inches
JPT24 $45

We at Panteek are pleased to offer the Natural History of Parrots from the Prideaux Selby edition published in Berling Germany in 1842. It is identical to Jardine’s Naturalist's Library which was the first successful attempt to make natural history accessible to the general public. The noted Scottish ornithologist Sir William Jardine set out to describe and illustrate all animals, birds and insects through this series. For the volume of parrots, the sixth volume of the series, Jardine turned to illustrator Edward Lear. Lear's earlier book of parrot illustrations had been well received and compared favorably to Audubon.

Engraver William H. Lizars wanted to make the plates as showy as possible to attract attention, and created the engraving plates in steel - not the traditional copper - to create a very fine line on the small area (each page measures approximately 4 1/8" by 6 1/2").  Each animal was then hand-colored before publication. The volume of parrots was the sixth in his landmark series.