"Il Pecari" Hand Colored Copper Plate Engraving Of A Peccary, From "Zoologia Morale Esposta In Centro Venti Discorsi O In Prosa...Colle Notizie Scientifice"

Vincenzo Batelli & Co., Florence, 1843-[46]; Antique hand colored folio copper engraving of a peccary in its natural habitat, with substantial descriptive text engraved beneath. An original plate from the mid 19th century Italian zoological work "Zoologia Morale Esposta In Centro Venti Discorsi O In Prosa Da Domenico Gazzadi Di Sassulo, Altrettante Figure D’Animali Incise In Rame, Colle Notizie Scientifice Del Dottore Antonio Baschieri Da Modena," described by Christie’s as "possibly the rarest Italian colour plate book of zoological interest" at the time of its 2008 Valuable Manuscripts And Printed Books sale, in which it sold for £7,500. Engraved by J. Giarre, printed on wove paper bearing the watermark of Antonio Sferra. Sheet size 12" x 17", plate mark 10" x 14". Very Good. Scattered marginal foxing, occasional small transparent staining, tiny (3.5 mm) pinhole in upper blank margin well outside the plate mark, paper entirely supple, no chips, no tears, all coloring brilliant.