BLACK STORK – Ciconia nigra Bellon – Original Lithograph – Edward Lear – John Gould – 1832-1837

A superb original nineteenth-century hand-coloured lithograph depicting the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra, Bellon) standing beside reeds at the water’s edge. Drawn and lithographed by Edward Lear, one of the most gifted ornithological artists of the nineteenth century, and still only around twenty years old when Gould first commissioned him for his great bird books.

The composition is particularly striking for the extraordinary richness of the plumage colouring, with deep chestnut and black feathers heightened by iridescent green and bronze tones across the neck and breast. Lear’s exceptional draughtsmanship is evident throughout, especially in the beautifully observed feather patterning, the elegant stance of the bird, and the delicately rendered marshland setting below.

Produced for Gould’s monumental large-folio Birds of Europe, issued between 1832 and 1837, the lithograph forms part of one of the foundational works of nineteenth-century ornithological publishing. Lear contributed some of the most admired plates to the work, helping establish Gould’s reputation as one of the great natural history publishers of the Victorian period.

Plate captioned “BLACK STORK. Ciconia nigra (Belon).” Lower right bearing signature in the stone “E. Lear.” Printed by Hullmandel. Sheet size approximately 54.3 x 35.8 cm.

Condition: Very good with original hand-colouring. Old framer’s tabs verso. Mild age toning, marking, fading, creasing, small age spots and minor handling wear to margins consistent with age.

A rare Edward Lear lithograph in very good, unrestored and original condition.

Cataloguer: Daniel Hornsey of Hornseys, Ripon

Daniel Hornsey, a partner of Hornseys in Ripon, is widely regarded as a trusted specialist in the field of rare and second-hand books. As a long-standing member of the antiquarian book trade, he has advised private collectors, curated catalogues, and sourced works for leading dealers, libraries and institutions across the world.

Hornseys, an established independent bookshop and gallery, is known for its careful curation and its emphasis on quality. Under Daniel Hornsey’s guidance, the shop has become a respected destination for collectors seeking rare, well-preserved, and accurately described volumes. Collectors value his transparency, his attention to detail, and his commitment to presenting books exactly as they are, without exaggeration. This reliability is essential in a field where subtle differences in condition or printing can dramatically influence desirability and value.

Hornseys’ exhibit regularly at book and map fairs in London and throughout the UK and as long-established specialists in fine books, maps, prints and ephemera, Hornseys maintains full professional membership of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA). The PBFA is one of the most respected trade bodies in the rare and antiquarian book world, with strict standards of expertise, authenticity and ethical trading. Our verified member listing can be viewed here: Hornseys – PBFA Member Profile.