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28. AMANDIER A GRANDES FLEURS. Pierre Jean Francois Turpin. Published in Paris. Stipple engraving, printed in color and finished by hand, 1808-1835. From Henri Louis Duhamel du Monceau's "Traite des Arbres Fruitiers," one of the finest and rarest books on fruit, with many beautiful plates. Plate mark 12 3/8 x 9 1/2" (315 x 243 mm). Good condition and color. Dunthorne 101. #58300-1 $650.
29. PHAETHORNIS CEPHALUS. (Mexican Hermit). John Gould. Published London. Lithograph handcolored, 1849-87. From “A Monograph of the Trochildae, or Family of Humming-Birds.� Printed by Hullmandel and Walter from drawings by J. Gould, H.C. Richter and William Hart, lithographed by the artists. Published London, 1849-87. Average paper size 21 x 14" (534 x 354mm). Good condition and color. #44179-1 $900.
31. PLATE 17. LEMON. Maria Sibylla Merian. Published by Joanem Oosterwyk, Amsterdam. Counterproof from engraved plate, 1719. A fine "counterproof" imprint from Merian's finest work "Dissertatio de Generatione et Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium." Peter Dance in "The Art of Natural History", refers to this series as "easily the most magnificent work on insects so far produced... combining science and art in equal proportions...." A counterproof is a technique of pulling an impression from a freshly printed image that has just been removed from a press, before the ink has been allowed to dry. This process allows the artist to closely replicate the original drawing (as the counterproof would be oriented in the same direction, show no plate marks, and depict only lightly inked lines). This made them highly suitable for coloring, with the end result being as close to the original watercolor as possible. This technique was difficult, time consuming and expensive, making production a deluxe or very special edition. Prints such as these were usually reserved for a select few subscribers. This particular edition is rarely seen on the market. Paper size 20 5/8 x 13 3/4" (524 x 350mm). Good condition save for two small dark spots in paper. Outstanding original handcolor. #22329-1 $2,500.