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Manx Shearwater, Antique Seabird Engraving by Nozeman & Sepp, 1809
£635 ($840, €750)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1809
- Size
- 14.6 × 20.9 in (37 × 53 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Very good impression with mild age toning and a occasional tiny spots; wide margins and clear plate mark. Text pages very good, lightly toned with a few small light spots. Minor edge tears are present on both sheets.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Artist or book
- Nozeman and Sepp
- Section
- Birds
- Reference
- f_25806052
Manx Shearwater, Antique Seabird Engraving by Nozeman & Sepp, 1809
This original hand-coloured copperplate engraving depicts the Manx shearwater, shown after the Latin legend “Procellaria puffinus B. Linn.” (now Puffinus puffinus; Dutch: Noordse pijlstormvogel). A sleek oceanic flier of the family Procellariidae, it breeds on North Atlantic islands and coasts, spending most of its life at sea and returning to burrows at night. The artist captures the mottled grey upperparts, clean white underparts and the distinctive tube-nosed bill used for long-distance, storm-riding navigation.
The plate comes from Nederlandsche Vogelen, volgens hunne huishouding, aert en eigenschappen beschreeven (Amsterdam, 1770–1829), the landmark first survey of Dutch birds by Cornelis Nozeman and Martinus Houttuyn, with plates produced by the Sepp family. Printed on laid paper and finished by hand, the series is prized for its scientific accuracy and refined natural colouring. The accompanying original Dutch text pages provide rich historical and scientific observations on the species, its behaviour, nesting habits, and physical characteristics, as understood in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. With Dutch names "de noordsche of blaauwe-aschgraauwe storm- of onweers-vogel." noted.
Condition: Very good impression with mild age toning and a occasional tiny spots; wide margins and clear plate mark. Text pages very good, lightly toned with a few small light spots. Minor edge tears are present on both sheets.
Framing tips: Pair with a soft ivory or pale grey mount to echo the bird’s plumage, and a dark walnut or ebonised frame for a classic natural-history presentation. A slim gilt slip can add a museum finish. Use UV-protective glazing to preserve the hand-colo
Overall size: 53 x 37 cm.
Image size: 0.001 x 37.8 x 30.5 cm.
