1. Moineau du Bois. 2.Petit Moineu du Cap de Bonne Esperance. 3. Moineau du Cap de Bonne Esperance. 4. Moineau a bec rouge du Cap de Bonne Esperance
An original copper plate engraving of a wood sparrow and three Kinds of sparrow from The cape of Good Hope.
Drawn and engraved by Francois-Nicholas Martinet.
Hand coloured. Printed on strong cream coloured paper.
From The Comte de Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux, published in Paris from 1770 to 1786. Book 3.Plate 5.
Size: 25 x 37 cms with the engraved part of the image measuring 24 x 29.2 cms.
Dated 1770.
Condition: Very Good. The paper on which the engraving has been pressed is not evenly shaped and the engraved part of the image does not sit evenly on the paper. This would not present a problem were the image to be framed. Two strong creases run vertically through the piece. This is in consequence of the image having been folded into a book. There is a spot of foxing on the engraving itself and one on the lef side of the paper. It is otherwise fresh and very clean.
