John James Audubon (1785-1851) Crested Grebe . (Plate no. CCXCII, Podiceps cristatus . Sheet size: 608 x 805 mm). Watermark: J.Whatman 1836. Hand-coloured engraving, with aquatint, by R.Havell. Framed and glazed. (Neat repair to hole in small blank area of sky, some very light spotting, verso with traces of old glue and some abrasion to paper surface.) "This beautiful species returns from its northern places of residence, and passes over the Western Country, about the beginning of September. A few remain on the lower parts of the Ohio, on the Mississippi, and the lakes in their neighbourhood, but the greater number proceed towards the Mexican territories... When about to alight on the water, these birds glide swiftly downward, with their wings half-closed, and produce a sound not unlike that of a Hwak stooping on its prey. Their velocity is so great at this moment, that on alighting, they glide on the surface of the water for twenty or thirty yards, leaving a furrow in their wake. In a few moments they are all engaged in washing and cleaning themselves, after which they dive in pursuit of the fishes on which they feed, and which they secure by following them in the manner of Divers and Cormorants" (Audubon, Birds of America , New York & Philadelphia: 1840-1844, vol.VIII,p.191). A fine plate from Audubon's masterpiece: The Birds of America , published in four double-elephant folio volumes between 1827 and 1838.
John James Audubon (1785-1851) Crested Grebe . (Plate no. CCXCII, Podiceps cristatus . Sheet size: 608 x 805 mm). Watermark: J.Whatman 1836. Hand-coloured engraving, with aquatint, by R.Havell. Framed and glazed. (Neat repair to hole in small blank area of sky, some very light spotting, verso with traces of old glue and some abrasion to paper surface.) "This beautiful species returns from its northern places of residence, and passes over the Western Country, about the beginning of September. A few remain on the lower parts of the Ohio, on the Mississippi, and the lakes in their neighbourhood, but the greater number proceed towards the Mexican territories... When about to alight on the water, these birds glide swiftly downward, with their wings half-closed, and produce a sound not unlike that of a Hwak stooping on its prey. Their velocity is so great at this moment, that on alighting, they glide on the surface of the water for twenty or thirty yards, leaving a furrow in their wake. In a few moments they are all engaged in washing and cleaning themselves, after which they dive in pursuit of the fishes on which they feed, and which they secure by following them in the manner of Divers and Cormorants" (Audubon, Birds of America , New York & Philadelphia: 1840-1844, vol.VIII,p.191). A fine plate from Audubon's masterpiece: The Birds of America , published in four double-elephant folio volumes between 1827 and 1838.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
