Antique Natural HistoryOriginal plates from the naturalists' books, 1600s to 1900s
Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770

Close-ups

Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770, close-up 1Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770, close-up 2Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770, close-up 3Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770, close-up 4Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770, close-up 5Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770, close-up 6

Framed and on the wall

Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770, shown framedHand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770, shown framed on a wallHand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770, shown framed in a room

Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.

Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Seligmann, c.1770

£455 ($605, €540)

Period original, not a reproduction.

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Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.

Date
1770
Size
14.6 × 9.8 in (37 × 25 cm)
Condition
Good. Vibrant colors, minimal fading. Paper shows light toning and minor foxing. Some handling marks, mostly outside plate-mark, not affecting image quality.
Period
18th century
Section
Birds
Reference
f_42338072
Colour
Hand coloured
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Title: Die Kleine Braune und Weiße Ente - Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Johann Michael Seligmann, 18th Century

This elegant hand-colored engraving, titled *Die Kleine Braune und Weiße Ente*, portrays the Small Brown and White Duck (*Anas Canadensis minor fulcus*) resting gracefully on calm waters. This artwork is part of Johann Michael Seligmann’s *Sammlung verschiedener ausländischer und seltener Vögel* (Collection of Various Foreign and Rare Birds), a monumental series that translated the illustrations of renowned naturalists, such as George Edwards, into stunning prints for an 18th-century audience.

The plate, numbered "Tab. LII," captures the bird’s fine plumage details, with deep brown tones and subtle white highlights rendered through meticulous hand-coloring. The serene water and minimalistic background enhance the focus on the duck, while the French title, *Le Petit Canard Brun et Blanc*, underscores the historical importance of the engraving as a study of North American avifauna.

This piece is ideal for collectors of historical ornithological prints or enthusiasts of 18th-century natural history illustrations. Seligmann’s dedication to scientific accuracy and aesthetic beauty is evident, making this print of the Small Brown and White Duck a delightful addition to any collection of antique bird engravings.

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