Pinnated Grous, Blue-green Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Plate 27
Hand-colored engraving on paper • Alexander Wilson (Artist); Alexander Lawson (Engraver)
Style & Movement
Natural History Illustration / Early American Romanticism
Medium & Technique
Engraving with hand-applied watercolor. The technique involves incising a copper plate, printing in black ink, and then applying washes of color by hand to mimic the appearance of the natural subjects.
Creation Period
Circa 1808-1814
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 13.5 x 10.5 inches (image size); Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A scientific illustration featuring three American bird species: a prominent Pinnated Grouse (Greater Prairie Chicken) in a display pose with inflated yellow neck sacs, a Blue-green Warbler, and a Nashville Warbler. The composition follows the Linnaean tradition of displaying multiple species on a single plate to maximize printing efficiency.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The print exhibits typical age-related toning (yellowing) and minor foxing spots.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $700
Auction Estimate
$300 - $550
Provenance History
Purchased from a private collector circa 1984. Likely originally bound in an edition of 'American Ornithology' before being excised for individual framing in the mid-20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Alexander Wilson is considered the 'Father of American Ornithology.' This work predates John James Audubon's 'Birds of America' and represent the first comprehensive attempt to document North American birds in their natural habitats. It is a foundational work of American science and art.
Notable Features
Includes the original engraved plate script at the bottom edge. Features a 'ghostly' background landscape showing other grouse, a distinctive trait of Wilson's desire to show behavioral context.
Condition Issues
Visible browning of the paper (acidification) due to contact with non-archival mounting materials. Small brown spots (foxing) are present in the upper left and lower right quadrants.
Conservation Recommendations
Should be remounted using acid-free, archival matting and UV-protective glass. Professional deacidification could stabilize the paper and brighten the white areas.
Collector Notes
Bought from private collector 40 yrs ago