Original Mid-19th-Century John Gould “Pteroglossus Poecilosternus” Hand-Colored Toucan Lithograph

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An exceptional original mid-19th-century hand-colored lithograph by celebrated British ornithologist and publisher John Gould, depicting the richly colored double-banded araçari, … Read more An exceptional original mid-19th-century hand-colored lithograph by celebrated British ornithologist and publisher John Gould, depicting the richly colored double-banded araçari, identified beneath the image by its historic scientific name, Pteroglossus poecilosternus.

This listing was for a single Gould print framed. There are other original Gould bird prints available in my shop in coordinating frames.

The plate was created for Gould’s important publication A Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans. The work is attributed in the lower margin to John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter, with the imprint of noted London printers Hullmandel & Walton. Gould’s toucan monograph was issued in its expanded second edition during the 1850s and is admired for its dramatic scale, brilliant coloration, and exceptionally detailed depictions of tropical bird species.

The composition centers on a striking araçari perched upon a curving branch, its oversized black-and-ivory bill contrasted against a glossy dark head, vivid yellow breast, and deep crimson banding. Fine feather work, carefully modeled feet, and softly rendered foliage demonstrate the precision and luminous hand coloring associated with Gould’s natural-history plates.

The lithograph is elegantly displayed beneath glass with a generously scaled pale celadon mat accented by delicate hand-ruled lines. A slender gilt frame with decorative corner details completes the refined presentation and coordinates beautifully with the other Gould works in the collection.

A highly decorative and collectible example of Victorian natural-history illustration, ideal for a library, study, living room, dining room, or curated gallery wall. It complements traditional, English country, Chinoiserie, tropical, Grand Tour, and collected interiors. See less