Water Birds by John Gould & Other Ornithologists

Water Birds! Decorative antique prints: lithographs & engravings over 100 years old. Our wading & shore birds, published during the 18th-19th centuries. The work of famous ornithologists including Mark Catesby, Francois Martinet, John Gould & Compte de Buffon. We have Loons, Swans, Herons, Kingfishers, Gulls & Terns.

Waterbirds: Wading & Shore Birds by Francois Martinet 18th Century Engravings

Our Francois Martinet French hand colored engravings of wading & shore birds published Paris from 1770-1783. Distinguished by a gold border framing and embellishing the birds as beautiful subjects. Martinet’s Naturelle des Oiseaux is considered the finest work on birds the French ever produced.

Martinet’s Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux Published 1770-1783.

Nearly 250 years old now, our Martinet wading & shore birds are antiques. The hand colored copper plate engravings are on heavy hand made laid rag paper. Meticulously, watercolors were added at the time of production. Each of the decorative antique prints measures 9×12″ has excellent strong watercolors & are in mint condition overall. Email oldengraving@gmail.com or call 413-245-4197 to place your order.

Set of six framed Buffon, miniature antique engravings of wading & shore birds.

Water Birds. A set of six framed, miniature, decorative antique prints over 200 years old. The small wading & shore birds are hand colored engravings. Ornate silver frames reflect waves in the ocean. This is the work of George Leclerc Compte de Buffon. And a rare German edition at that. It published from 1770-1805. The hand made hand laid linen rag paper is gorgeous. Ready to hang and professionally framed. Archival supplies have been used including UV glass. Each piece measures 10×12″. Sold as a set of six for $950. with free shipping in America. Click here to contact us.

A Pair of John Prideaux Selby Shore Birds from 1817-1834, Framed

A stunning pair of water birds by John Prideaux Selby. Published in London, England from 1817-1835. These are antiques are they are about 200 years old. These particular images are a couple of Selby’s most dramatic published. Each print is a watercolor copper plate engraving. Imperial folio J. Whatman watermarked paper. We have used 100% archival matting and U.V. glass. The picture frames are a beachy burl wood. Each piece measures 30×35″. Sold as a pair for $3200. plus actual shipping charges.

Framed John Gould Lithographs of Waterbirds

John Gould shore & wading Birds. Decorative antique lithographs over 100 years old. Framed sets of antique prints and loose plates.

Purple Heron Blue Eggs, Atlantic Puffin Feeding Fledgling

Over 160 years of age these antique lithographs are the work of John Gould. Published c.1860 London, England for John Gould’s Birds of Great Britain. The watercolors were  added at the time of production. The framing enhances the beauty of the wading & shore birds. Each framed piece measures 25×32″. Exceptional quality 3″ wide burl wood picture frames.  High quality archival picture framing materials including UV glass. Call Anne at 413-245-4197 for personalized service. Puffin $2200. Purple Heron $4000. Coots $1600.

Set of Six Framed Pieces, Ocean Gulls & Larus by John Gould

Exceptional gulls, terns & larus by John Gould.  Framed English c.1860 hand colored lithographs of water birds. Each piece has archival materials.  The frames are sensational: beachy blonde burl wood.  32″ wide x 26″ high. Special pricing on the set of six $4500. Customer to pay actual shipping fees.

Swans: decorative antique lithographs by John Gould c.1860

Lovely depictions of swans.  These magnificent c.1860 swans come from The Birds of Great Britain. John Gould’s books issued in parts during the mid 19th century, as they were published. They are antique lithographs with watercolors in excellent condition. Each piece measures 14.5 x 21.5″ though there are small variances. Matted in 100% rag which measure 22×28.” Are you interested in Anne framing the pair for you? The first two are sold as a pair for $3500. Inquire about the third swan. Email oldengraving@gmail.com or call 413-245-4197 for the best personalized service.

John Gould wading & shore birds.  Decorative antique prints: hand colored lithographs.

John Gould is perhaps the most famous English ornithologist of the 19th century.  He illustrated some 2999 different birds. This gallery of wading & shore birds issued by subscription in large folio parts. Gould’s work was in great demand by the wealthy, clergy, doctors, and naturalists alike. To create a monumental work on a certain type of bird say the birds of Great Britain circa 1860, many steps were involved. It was a huge time consuming effort by many talented people. Each piece measures 14 1/2 x 21 1/2″ Call Anne at 413-245-4197 to discuss your project.

John Gould’s Birds of Great Britain: King Ducks & Northern Loon

A pair of framed  John Gould King Ducks and a Northern Loon with professional picture framing. Antique lithographs with original coloring. Over 170 years old. The watercolors were  added at the time of production, circa 1860. Published London England for John Gould’s Birds of Great Britain. Each framed piece measures 27×32″ and have stunning burl wood picture frames. We have used the highest quality archival materials including UV glass. $2500. each. Call Anne at 413-245-4197 for personalized service.

Compte de Buffon Miniatures: 18th Century engravings, of wading & shore birds.

These miniature antique prints of wading & shore birds came from a rare German edition of Compte de Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle, which was published from c.1770-1820.  Buffon was a brilliant 18th Century French scientist & naturalist, with inherited wealth.  Publishing these encyclopedic collections was not an obstacle.  Each of the water colored copper plate engravings was printed onto hand made hand laid rag paper  c.1770-1820.  Fabulous and small measuring in at a mere 4×6 1/2″ 
Call Anne at 413-245-4197

Naturalists had needed access to wading & shore birds for their ornithology delineations.  

During the 18th and 19th centuries naturalists needed to travel on expeditions and ships to see nature. Ornithology was of great interest. Seeing new species of waterbirds, wading & shore birds in person was critical to delineate in a life form. Once seen they could be recorded. A meticulously drawn illustration was made with notations of colors, behavior, and other scientific data, that was observed. Through the art of lithography, the illustrations would come to life in the form of water colored lithographs for subscribers. The high quality paper was made by a paper maker.

Next to create a lithograph, the process by which a limestone piece was drawn upon with a sort of a greasy crayon. The slab of limestone was then dipped into nitric acid which burnt away parts not under the greasy crayon.  The slab of limestone was wiped off and inked up, then watercolors could be professionally added.

Mark Catesby & Dr. Seligmann Water Birds: 18th Century Hand-Colored Engravings

Mark Catesby hand colored engravings. This famous work is of special interest as it is one of the few works published on North American species of birds and foliage they require. Too poor to have a separate illustration for the bird from the foliage, Mark Catesby’s work is now classic, iconic on the subject. Catesby was in the Carolinas, Virginia, Florida and the Bahamas in the 1730’s. The Seligmann Edition was published from 1771-1776 in Amsterdam. These stunning hand water colored copper plate engravings were printed onto rag paper. The hand coloring was added at the time of production. Each old print measures about 10 1/4 x 17″ though there are a few that are 9 1/2 x 15 1/2″ Click here to contact us.

Mark Catesby Sand Hill Crane
Mark Catesby Sand Hill Crane $1200.

Loons: Antique Lithographs & Hand-Colored Engravings.

Water Birds! To hear the loon calling, it is something you’ll always remember. Here is an assortment of old engravings and lithographs, some are hand-colored. The ornithological illustrations, were executed by various early Ornithologists, including Compte de Buffon, Meyers, Jacob Studer, George Edwards, Henry Dresser, and Reverend F.O. Morris. Click here to contact us.

Miniature, Antique Engravings of Kingfishers, by Compte de Buffon, c.1800.

These beautiful miniature antique engravings of kingfishers are sourced from a rare German edition of Compte de Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle, which was published from c.1770-1820. Each hand-colored copper plate engraving is in very good condition. Miniatures measuring only 4 x 6 1/2.” Matted to 8×10.” This set is sold, but I may be able to offer you others. If you would like a similar grouping of water-birds, I am able to show you possibilities. Call Anne to discuss your decorating goals. 413-245-4197.

Inquire about Ridgeway’s American Birds

Ridgeway Water Bird Illustrations of North American Species of Birds. JL Ridgeway birds are sought after by North American birders, partly because the illustrations include the environment the birds would be seen in, in nature. Included in the selection is the Great Blue heron, Belted Kingfisher, Wood Duck,   Dowitcher, Yellow Legs, and the English Snipe. These old photolithographs were printed in the early days of photo mechanical printing c.1900. It was an off set printing method. Each color was applied in a separate process photographically. They are affordable images of North American species of birds. There were not many books published on North America birds from 1830-1900.    Nice coloration and lovely scenic backgrounds.  Each antique print measures 9 1/2 x 12″,  is in good condition, and has strong colors. Click here to contact us. 

I hope you have enjoyed my collections of Water Birds by John Gould & other famous ornithologists.

We pride ourselves on our great collection of antique ornithology prints. Antique lithographs with watercolors, hand colored engravings and chromo litho or lithographs. We specialize in water birds of all kinds. Water fowl bookplates by famous Old World Ornithologists including John Gould, Francois Martinet, Cornelius Nozeman, John Prideaux Selby, Thomas Pennant, and Buffon. Antique swan & heron prints. Antique lithographs of ducks and swans, egrets and herons by John Gould, Martinet. Some of these old prints date from the mid 1600’s. The most recent published at 1900. King fishers, egrets and herons, swans and ducks. They are all more than 100 years old. Contact Anne for personalized service and help with your decorating project: Call: 413-245-4197 Email: oldengraving@gmail.com

Additional ideas for decorating with authentic antique prints.

You can also BUY NOW under shop. Also see additional pages like this of additional available Water Birds by other early ornithologists including John Prideaux Selby and Cornelius Nozeman by visiting these links: