Antique bird print of African and Asian vultures. This print originates from 'Bilderbuch fur Kinder' by F.J. Bertuch. Friedrich Johann Bertuch (1747-1822) was a German publisher and man of arts most famous for his 12-volume encyclopedia for children illustrated with 1,200 engraved plates on natural history, science, costume, mythology, etc., published from 1790-1830.
Title: Hand-colored 18th-century engraving of vultures – Birds Plate LXIX, c. 1770
Description: This hand-colored antique engraving, titled "Vögel LXIX / Oiseaux LXIX / Birds LXIX / Uccelli LXIX", dates from around 1770 and features five scientifically illustrated species of vultures and large birds of prey. It is Plate LXIX from a multilingual natural history work, likely part of an 18th-century zoological encyclopedia such as Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s "Bilderbuch für Kinder" or a similar publication that used Latin, German, French, English, and Italian labels.
Each bird is labeled by figure number and represents different species: Fig. 1 (center) depicts a large vulture, possibly a California or Andean condor, with a bare head and strong curved beak. Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 (left and right) show two types of Old World vultures, both with featherless necks and ruffled collars. Fig. 3 (bottom right) may represent the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), with its pale plumage and sharp beak. Fig. 4 (top right) features a darker bird with reddish markings, possibly a lammergeier or related species.
The illustration is finely engraved, with detailed linework and delicate hand-applied watercolor. Each bird stands on a simple patch of green ground, set against an unadorned background to emphasize the plumage and form.
Such engravings were typical of Enlightenment-era efforts to document the natural world. They were designed to educate and inspire curiosity, and are now prized for their artistic and historical value.
Condition report : Good condition. Clean surface, vibrant hand-coloring. Minor edge wear and light creases in the lower area. No visible tears or staining.
Framing suggestion: Frame with an off-white archival mat and a simple dark wood or black frame. A float mount is recommended to display the plate titles clearly and preserve the full sheet.
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