Antique Handcolored Engraving of Turtles and Tortoises, Amphibien XXXVII, c.1800
This original handcolored copperplate engraving depicts a variety of turtles and tortoises, highlighting their distinctive shells, body shapes, and habitats. The plate is from Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), a celebrated 12-volume natural history encyclopedia published between 1790 and 1830, admired for its educational and artistic value.
The engraving includes: 1. A land tortoise (*Testudo spp.*), depicted with its domed shell and robust limbs (Fig. 1). 2. A pond turtle (*Emys spp.*), with a flatter shell adapted for aquatic environments (Fig. 2). 3. A colorful box turtle (*Terrapene spp.*), noted for its intricate shell pattern (Fig. 3). 4. A softshell turtle (*Apalone spp.*), characterized by its leathery carapace (Fig. 4). 5. A snapping turtle (*Chelydra serpentina*), shown with its rugged shell and powerful jaws (Fig. 5). 6. A view of a turtle's plastron (underside), detailing the intricate pattern (Fig. 6). 7. A side-necked turtle (*Chelidae*), with its elongated neck and unique defensive posture (Fig. 7).
This engraving captures the diversity and adaptations of these fascinating reptiles, making it a valuable addition to collections of natural history art, antique prints, or herpetological studies.
Condition Report Fair condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, and some visible text bleed-through from verso. Colors remain vivid and well preserved. Please review images carefully.
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