JOHN GOULD & RICHARD BOWDLER SHARPE. BIRDS OF NEW GUINEA...: A PAIR OF HAND-COLORED LITHOGRAPHS

Two hand-colored lithographs by John Gould and William Hart, London: Taylor and Francis for Henry Sotheran & Co., 1875-88. Curly Maple frame, with dark amber finish.  lot includes: [New Guinea Eagle] Harpyopsis Novae Guineae — [Goshawk] Erythrotriorchis Doriae. each sheet approximately: 550 by 365 mm  21 5/8 by 14 3/8 in

[Goshawk] Erythrotriorchis Doriae: a few light foxing marks. Both in generally very good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A beautiful pair of prints from Gould's Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan islands, including many new species recently discovered in Australia These plates are from one of Gould's most exotic works, The Birds of New Guinea, which consists of an extensive series of beautiful plates of birds of paradise, bower birds, parrots, parakeets, cockatoos, kingfishers, and hawk-owls. It is his last full-scale work. Gould prepared the first twelve of the twenty-five parts, and the work was finished posthumously by Sharpe. A broadside "Address to the Subscribers" of The Birds of New Guinea issued by Sotheran and Co. announced: "With respect...to the Birds of New Guinea, we have the pleasure to announce that, having purchased the entire stock and copyrights of Mr. Gould's Magnificent series of Works, we have made immediate preparations for completing those left unfinished; and having retained the services of Mr. Gould's entire staff of artists and colourists, we are confident that the work will be as well performed as during the life of the Author. Mr. Hart...will superintend the whole of the illustrations as heretofore; while the letterpress will be edited by Mr. Bowdler Sharpe, of the British Museum, whose name will be sufficient assurance that nothing will be wanting in this department."