One more of these--from a group of four purchased from a dealer in Germany. This is not a hand-colored engraving, it is an original, gorgeously executed ink and watercolor drawing, c. 1840s I believe. Whether made in advance of, or after, an engraving for a zoological volume I am not certain (though I'd guess the former)--whatever the case, quite spectacular, and with the execution amplifying a sense of wonder at creatures that already seem quite wondrous! I believe it is a Northeast African Carpet Viper at top, then an Eastern Copperhead, then two varieties of rattlesnake. Gorgeous creatures, though certainly to my mind much better rendered in watercolor than encountered in the flesh!
10 5/8" x 8 5/8" and in very good condition. The last photo was shot directly over a lamp, to give a sense of the paper, which appears to me to be wove--relatively thin but quite strong and durable.
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