Antique Natural HistoryOriginal plates from the naturalists' books, 1600s to 1900s
Victorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890

Close-ups

Victorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890, close-up 1Victorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890, close-up 2Victorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890, close-up 3Victorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890, close-up 4Victorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890, close-up 5

Framed and on the wall

Victorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890, shown framedVictorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890, shown framed on a wallVictorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890, shown framed in a room

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

Victorian Prize Cats: Hand-Colored Woodcut Featuring Distinguished Breeds, c1890

$125 (£95, €110)

Period original, not a reproduction.

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

Date
Not stated
Size
7.1 × 10.2 in (18 × 26 cm)
Condition
Good. Good condition overall. Vibrant hand coloring intact. Slight toning and minimal wear along the margins consistent with age.
Section
Mammals
Reference
f_43013392
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.

This antique hand-colored woodcut engraving titled *Prize Cats* features a collection of prominent and diverse feline breeds celebrated during the 19th century. The print presents six individual vignettes, each showcasing a specific breed or category of cat, along with their descriptive labels. The cats are depicted in various poses, emphasizing their unique features and personalities, from the sleek Siamese cats to the regal Persian and the distinctive Manx, or tailless cat.

Details:

- Title: Prize Cats

- Medium: Hand-colored woodcut engraving

- Artists: Includes contributions by Percy Macquoid (credited for the English cat illustration) and H. Howard

- Date: Late 19th century

- Source: Likely from a Victorian-era illustrated publication

Featured Cats:

1. Manx or Tailless Cat

2. British Wild Cat

3. Persian Cat

4. English Cat, noted as the biggest in the show

5. Siamese Cats

6. French-African Cat

Each vignette is framed with fine linework, and the hand coloring adds depth and character to the illustrations. This detailed engraving highlights the Victorian fascination with animal taxonomy and the increasing interest in cat shows and exotic breeds during the period.

Condition report:

Good condition overall. Vibrant hand coloring intact. Slight toning and minimal wear along the margins consistent with age.

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