Birds of Paradise
BIRD OF PARADISE PROVENANCE
On the rear of frame presentations at time of purchase was notepaper identifying that the prints as purchased from “PORTOBELLO BOOK SHOP, 89 Portobello Rd, London W11, Sellers of Antique Books, Prints, Maps, 30/11/(19)66.
Subsequently framed at “ROWLEY GALLERY LTD. Established in Kensington since 1898.Designers &
Craftsmen, FRAME MAKERS, 86/87 Campden St., Kensington.”
Original paper is laid down onto contemporary mat board using a transfer tissue presumably in 1966.
Original Copper-plate engravings of WOVE PAPER (flax/hemp)
HISTORY OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IN RELATION TO THE BIRD OF PARADISE;
With no printed text on the original pressing outside or inside the intact plate mark it is deduced that, given the illustration is so significant in size for the era that is evidenced by the process & type of paper used, that it may have been the result of the work by Rene Primevere Lesson (1794-1849). Lesson was the naturalist and doctor of Le Coquille on Louis-Isidore Duperrey's voyage around the world: the official history was never completed. The Bird of Paradise was not known in Europe until the 16th Century when the survivors of Magellan’s world circumnavigation carried back 5 pelts obtained in Malaka as tribute to the King of Spain. Because the pelts had the legs and viscera removed in the preserving process, the taxidermists believed they had no legs leading the myth that the birds “lived in the air, never landing”. It wasn’t until the famous Swedish naturalist, Carl Linnaeus, who examined the preserved birds , that the name “Bird of Paradise” came into use. He also ended the idea of perpetual flight! Rene Lesson was the first European naturalist to record contact with the Bird of Paradise in the wild. The Account of the voyage , “Voyage Autour du Monde...sur la Corvette...La Coquille...” printed between 1825-39 or similar publications identifying the Ornithological, Medical or Scientific discoveries during this period by Lesson are therefore leading suspects in the talented production of these superb copper-plate engravings.
TheDuperrey voyage of 1822-25, largely scientific in purpose, called at Brazil and the Falkland Islands, and then rounded Cape Horn and sailed along the coast visiting Concepcion, Callao, and Payta. Heading towards the Tuamotu Archipelago, Duperrey discovered Clermont Tonnerre (Reao) and then went on to Tahiti. In June 1823, ‘Le Coquille' sailed for Port Jackson via Tonga, the Santa Cruz Island, New Britain, New Ireland, and the Moluccas. 1824 saw Duperrey in the Bay of Islands at New Zealand. Next, he sailed to Rotuma, the Gilberts, the Carolines, New Guinea and Java before making his way home. 'The expedition achieved notable scientific results and corrections in maps, much meteorological data, and many rock samples and botanical specimens were brought back.
Lesson was the naturalist of this expedition, and his account of the voyage supplies the details which Duperrey failed to publish...'
Presented in matching Antique Flame Mahogany Veneer Frames accompanied by conservation cotton mat presentation & UV blocking glass
Published Paris between 1825 to 1839.
Size of image= 35cm x 55cm
Code:BPLesson1
Bird of Paradise~Sicklebill (?)
Scientific name:Empimachus fatuous
AUD$1795
Code:BPLesson2
Bird of Paradise~Superb
Scientific name: Lophorina surberba
AUD$1495
