Henry Sotheran's - John Gould - Birds of New Guinea & Birds of Paradise

Prints » John Gould » Birds of New Guinea & Birds of Paradise

Originally intended as an overspill of Birds of Australia, this series of prints, Birds of New Guinea (1875-88), grew rapidly into a lavish work. While it could be true to say that the parrots were the stars of the earlier publication, here it is the birds of paradise, who made their first appearance. However, among the other magnificent species are the brightly coloured pittas and kingfishers, not to mention the dark exoticism and menace of the birds of prey.
Gould initially represented birds of paradise as part of his Birds of New Guinea. However, as new species were discovered he decided to dedicate a monograph to them (along with bower birds). Gould died before he could commence work on the project, but Henry Sotheran Ltd. published it from 1875-88, with text by Dr Richard Bowdler-Sharpe.