Schlegel, Hermann and A.H. Verster de Wulverhorst

FIRST EDITION, large folio (712 x 525mm.), tinted pictorial lithographed title-page in india paper with 11 vignettes illustrative of falconry after and by J.B. Sonderland, mounted, 2 lithographed plates of hunting on India paper after Sonderland by J. Dillman, mounted, 2 hand-coloured lithographed plates of hawking equipment after and by Portman and von Wouw, 12 hand-coloured lithographed plates of birds of prey after J. Wolf by Wendel, later green half morocco, gilt morocco label on cover, printed panel from original wrapper mounted on flyleaf, minor foxing to one plate, text with some marginal repair and strengthening

Richard Howard, sale in these rooms, 28 April 1999, lot 163

Harting 194; Nissen, IVB 832; Schwerdt 2:150

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

THE FINEST WORK ON FALCONRY WHICH HAS EVER BEEN PRODUCED; not only on account of the beauty of the plates, wherein the hawks are depicted life-size and of the natural colours, but also for the general accuracy of the letterpress” (Harting).

Wolf’s falcon plates established his reputation as a bird artist and led to commissions from many other of the most noted ornithological authors of the day, including Elliot and Gould. Gould, in fact owned Wolf’s original watercolour for the plate of the Greenland falcon.

“THE LIFE-SIZE ILLUSTRATIONS OF BIRDS ARE BY FAR THE FINEST EVER PRODUCED IN ANY BOOK ON FALCONRY. It is impossible to describe the mellowness and beauty of the colourings” (Schwerdt).