**First Time At Auction**
Prideaux John Selby (British, 1788-1867), "Short Eared Owl" - engraving with hand coloring, plate XXI from "Illustrated British Ornithology", Edinburgh: Daniel Lizars and London: Longman, Rees, Orme, ca. 1818 to 1823. A wonderful engraving of a Short-Eared Owl with remarkably realistic details and vibrant coloring. Just look at that plumage - and the way the bird's right talon is gripping the terrain below and his left talon is lifted as if about to land. The Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus) of the familiy Strigidae has tufts of feathers that resemble mammalian ears - hence its name. Many experts are impressed by the crispness and clarity of Selby's figures. His birds are regarded as among the most accurate delineations of British birds, as well as the liveliest, offering a refreshing style that departed from the stiffer portrayals of earlier works. Size: plate 16" L x 10" W (40.6 cm x 25.4 cm); sheet 18" L x 12.625" W (45.7 cm x 32.1 cm)
From a very early age, Selby demonstrated a keen interest in ornithology - making his own notes and immensely detailed colored drawings of the birds he observed. As an ornithologist, Selby's major work was "Illustrations of British Ornithology"; its two volumes were published in 19 parts between 1821 and 1833. It included 222 plates etched by Selby, most of which were after his own drawings, with the assistance of his brother-in-law Admiral Robert Mitford.
Selby also contributed to a joint publication entitled, "Illustrations of Ornithology" (1836
Condition
Strong engraving with vibrant hand coloring. Minor creases and toning to paper. Tiny nicks to edges. Comes with mat.