Lot #57: Two DeKay/Hill Hand-colored Bird Lithographs

Both from 1843, a duo of hand-colored lithographs from the 5 volume "Zoology of New York," published 1842-44. Author James Ellsworth DeKay, 1792-1851, was a naturalist, zoologist, and physician, who emigrated with his parents from Portugal as a very young child, went on to study at Yale University, and to guide the development of the collection at the Lyceum of Natural History in New York. His close association with some of the writers of the era, including James Fenimore Cooper, likely influenced his style, called in one biography "scientific romanticism." In 1836 DeKay was selected for the task of cataloguing the flora and fauna of New York state. Volume II of the "Zoology," also referred to a Volume I, part II, was devoted to birds, which DeKay classified in six orders. He worked with artist John William Hill, 1812-1879, a painter, lithographer, and engraver. Hill was also an immigrant, from England, who apprenticed for seven years under his father, an aquatint engraver. Hill was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, and employed techniques of fine detail in his topographical views, wildlife studies, and landscapes. His works today are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the National Gallery, the Amon Carter Museum, the Fogg Art Museum, etc. Plate 79 shows the American Ring Plover, the Black Breasted Snipe, and the Kildeer; plate 113 shows the Eider Duck and the King Duck. These plates, both from 1843, were likely removed from a copy of the "Zoology," which was published in quarto size, by Endicott and Company, lithographers. Excellent condition, matted, in plastic slipcases. See lot 33 for another DeKay/Hill piece, and one from John James Audubon. Dimensions: 11"W X 14"H Pickup category timeslot {C}