Birds of Prey, Hand-colored Engraving from Bertuch, 1790-1810

Sale price $18.00 Regular price $24.00

Such a proud and fierce bunch of birds! This hand-colored copper engraving comes from Friedrich Justin Bertuch's  'Bilderbuch fur Kinder',  published in Vienna, 1790-1810, as a 12 volume series aiming to "spread the knowledge of the epochs out before children". It featured a total of 6000 gorgeous illustrations, of which this one--a hand-colored copper engraving featuring six birds of prey including the intimidating Black Vulture at upper left--is emblematic.

9 7/8" x 7 7/8". On watermarked laid paper, and in overall good condition, super vivid. There is some age toning around the edges, a little scattered light foxing/spotting, and a minor flaw in the paper (not a tear) resulting in a faint horizontal line that runs across the middle of the vulture's body; minor.