While our images are electronically watermarked, the antique prints themselves are not.

Roseate Pelican DRS608 $125
Each print measures approximately 9 1/2 inches wide by 12 1/4 inches long.

With great pleasure we are at last able to offer the finest prints from an exceedingly rare work deserving far greater recognition than it has received. Henry Eeles Dresser’s The History of the Birds of Europe 1871-1896 was published during the grandest years of the Victorian era, at a time when an extraordinarily talented group of artists, writers, publishers and printers were producing some of the most sumptuous titles in ornithological literature. Mention John Gould, Joseph Sharpe and Daniel Elliot to avid collectors and their gaze immediately turns inward. They see in their minds eyes the lush volumes these gentlemen authored or edited and fervently wish they might own a few prints born of them. Sadly, such prints are not only rare but often prohibitively expensive.

Yet here we have something precious, for the prints gracing Dresser’s volumes share the very same bloodlines. The art and lithography of Joseph Wolf, John Gerrard Keulemans, Archibald Thorburn, Edward Neale, William Hart, and Joseph Smith make this an exceptional work indeed. The attention to detail, quality of printing and splendid, sensitive hand coloring will leave you in no doubt as to the skill and pride that went into this work. They are veritable treasures & extremely similar to Gould’s in coloration, quality and superb choice of subjects, albeit on a slightly smaller scale. Indeed, many of the prints depicted differ from Gould’s only in the paper size.

This work was to be the last great hand coloured bird book, in itself extremely rare & precious, as only about 240 copies were issued to subscribers only. It is rarer by far than Gould’s Birds of Britain and Audubon’s Birds of America because of this extremely small issue. Though named Birds of Europe, the scope was actually much broader, covering species from Europe to part of Asia North Africa & the Caucasus. The majority of the illustrations were the work of the illustrious Dutch painter & illustrator, John Gerrard Keulemans (1842-1912). Utilizing specimens from Dresser's own collection of 12,000 birds, he produced over 650 of the illustrations for this superb work, which was his greatest achievement. The great bird artist Joseph Wolf also contributed to the raptor section.

Not an inconsiderable additional bonus is the fact that the original descriptive text is available for almost every print. The text itself is very detailed and erudite, sometimes stretching to many pages, even whole chapters, giving details of sightings of each bird over the huge territory the work covers. So for the ornithologist & bird lover, it represents a snapshot of the bird kingdom at the close of the 19th century before industrialization and burgeoning populations, not to mention hunting, exacted its grim toll on many species. When there are two illustrations for the same text, we have accorded it to the most expensive print.

Each print measures approximately 9 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches & is on strong wove paper which varies slightly from soft white to lightly creamy. There are very few fox marks and the quality of the hand colouring is superb, with a vibrance and beauty utterly characteristic of this great team of artists and printers. Such a superb selection of these prints is rarely seen, as copies of the work are so scarce since only about 240 were published, fetching as much as $45,000 on the market. It is with great pleasure that we offer these to our print collectors as another rare treasure for the holiday season, not to mention posterity!

We accept credit cards, PayPal, checks, and money orders. Washington state residents pay Washington state sales tax. Shipping for this item is $8.95. Items can be combined to save on postage. Our environment is smoke free. We pack professionally using only new materials. All items are beautifully wrapped and suitable for sending directly as gifts. You may return any item within 7 days if not satisfied. To order, you may call us at 1-888-PANTEEK or email panteek@aol.com.