Parrots Toucans – Buffon Martinet

Available: Parrots and Toucans by Buffon and Martinet! Sourced from Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. Browse our original bookplates of Perruches, Periches, Perroquets, Aras & Psittacidaes. Our, decorative antique prints, are 18th & 19th century watercolor engravings. Some of our antique parrot prints are framed and ready to hang on your walls. 🦜

Buffon Martinet Perruches | 18th Century Hand-Colored Engravings

You have found authentic Martinet Parrots, or Perruches in French, which date to 1770-1783, some say 1786.  The work of Francois Nicolas Martinet, one of France’s foremost bird illustrators of the eighteenth century.  Sourced from Histoire Naturelle es Oiseaux. Histoire Naturelle es Oiseaux was a monumental effort to catalog 1035 known ornithological species of birds. A staff of 70 people, feverishly worked for an astounding 13 years to complete this amazing work by Francois Martinet and George LeClerc Compte de Buffon.

“L’Ara verd, du Bresil” is an 18th century engraving, from Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux

Compte de Buffon & Francois Martinet’s, “L’Ara verd, du Bresil” or the Green Macaw, of Brazil. Exemplary of the finest works the French published on Ornithology. The 18th century books, are entitled Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. As you will see, illustrations are magnificent & colorful. The hand-colored engravings are historic recordings, and extremely representative of the birds themselves.

Available 18th Century Engravings, from Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux: Perruches, Parrots and Toucans by Buffon and Martinet.

The rare artwork of perruches below, are a 18th century copper-plate engravings, on hand-made laid linen rag. The watercolors in the illuminations, added at the time of production. Each perruches plate, measures 8 1/2 x 11″. Archival framing options start at $150. each. Call Anne at 413-245-4197 to place your order.

A delightful 18th century Francois Martinet hand colored engraving of a Little Green Parrot of Cayenne

This is the Little Green Parrot, from Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux, & he has a big story!

This delightful 18th century, hand-colored perruches engraving, is the Little Green Parrot, Island of Cayenne, part of French Guiana. The depictions of parrots & birds, are realistic representations of the birds. Issued 1770-1783, in books entitled, Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. The monumental work on birds, is by Compte de Buffon and Francois Martinet. Requiring a staff of 70, and taking an amazing 13 years to publish!

Compte de Buffon Parrots: Rare Miniature German Engravings, of Perruches Framed

This gallery of miniature Buffon perruches prints are framed.  Watercolor copper plate engravings, on hand-made hand laid rag paper.  A considerably hard to find German edition published in the late 18th Century from 1785 to 1804. This is the work of George LeClerc Compte de Buffon. The rare bookplates have been framed by Anne using archival materials to protect the over 220-year-old, antique prints. Each piece measures 11 x 12″. Prices range from $425. each. You can Buy Now from this collection, with a click of a link. Or call Anne at 413-245-4197 to place your order.

Buffon Perruche Miniatures – Exquisite Antique Parrot Engravings!

Exquisite & Miniature watercolor engravings of parrots from c.1785-1805.  Each piece is about 120 years old. Coming from a tiny German edition of George Leclerc Compte de Buffon’s work on parrots. German water colored copper plate engravings on hand made hand laid rag. Miniature in size @4×6″ $115. each. Three or more Perruches are $100. each shipped.  Call 413-245-4197 to place your order.

A Short History Behind the Publication of Old Books

18th and 19th Century craftsmen produced the antique prints seen on this website. The workmanship required to publish the parrots and toucans by Buffon and Martinet during the 18th century was astonishing. Every part of production mandated expert craftsmanship.  Our old and rare copper plate engravings of parrots were water colored by hand during the years they were published. The paper on which the press printed, was difficult to acquire. Furthermore, the engraver would have to re engrave another plate after just 300 strikes. This was due to the naturally soft surface of the copper plate. As you have noticed, these antique prints of parrots are highly detailed.

The colorists who applied the watercolors frequently died at young ages. This was a result of the toxicity of the colorants. Many contained metals. Yet these old prints exist in excellent condition. They have lasted for all these years, primarily due to the high quality of the rag paper. Paper during the 1700’s was frequently made of rags. High quality rag paper was used in printing through the turn of the 20th Century. The material was not acidic at all. Made from linen, flax, and literally rag clothes. There is no acid content in the paper. In conclusion this explains why paper produced during the 20th century does not last for long. It is made from trees which is completely acidic and ruins after time. Rag paper is timeless in truth.

Learn more about different editions of Buffon & Martinet

Read a Scholarly Work, on the Different Buffon & Martinet Editions, Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux, & more.

Read this scholarly article about different editions of Buffon & Martinet’s work on ornithology. The article covers the watercolors, paper quality and more. It was recently published and is interesting to see the comparisons of editions. Martinet’s engravings in Buffon (1770–83): variation in their hand-colouring and its implications for defining Echo Parakeet Psittacula eques (Boddaert, 1783) (bioone.org)

Ideas for decorating your personal environment with antique prints.

First of all, identify with what you like. Then start surrounding yourself, with decorative antique lithographs & engravings, building your collection with a themed oasis, you will love for years to come. Ferns, tropical fish, brightly colored plants and flowers, will complement, the parrots and toucans bu Buffon and Martinet.

Our old engravings of parrots by French ornithologists will get attention when you decorate with them. Everything on this webpage is an antique lithograph or hand watercolor engraving from the 1700’s and 1800’s. Our wonderful old engravings of parrots and toucans include the work of George Leclerc Compte de Buffon and Francois Martinet.  Fascinate yourself, when you decorate with antique parrot prints. They will capture your interest and your guests.

We pride ourselves on our collections. Bright watercolors & excellent conditions make our collection of old prints above others. Please feel free to call and discuss your own project. Anne may have options to help you achieve your goals.

Phone Us: 413-245-4197.   Email:  oldprint@verizon.net. Thank you for visiting!