Antique Books, Maps, & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Nov 4, 2023
115 Hampsted Lane Franklin, TN 37069, United States

LOT 56971:

Wright's Skandinaviens Fiskar - Volume with 63 Fish Plates

Sold for: $2,500
Start price:
$ 2,500
Estimated price :
$6,000 - $9,000
Buyer's Premium: 10% More details
sales tax: 9.75% On commission only
Auction took place on Nov 4, 2023 at Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
tags:

Wright's Skandinaviens Fiskar - Volume with 63 Fish Plates
This rare, first edition volume with 63 plates is Wilhelm von Wright, Carl Ulrich Ekström, Bengt Fredrik Fries, & Carl Jacob Sundevall's Skandinaviens Fiskar or The Fishes of Scandinavia. The full title is Skandinaviens Fiskar, målade efter lefvande exemplar och ritade på sten af Wilh. von Wright, med text af B. Fr. Fries och C.U. Ekström. & Bihang innefattande beskrifningar öfver de i Skandinavien bruklige Fiskeredskap med figurer. The work was published in Stockholm between 1836 and 1857 by P.A. Norstedt & Söner.

This is an exceptional work on Scandinavian fishes. The volume is complete with text, 60 lithographed plates, 59 of which feature splendid original hand-coloring heightened with gum arabic, and 3 engraved plates which includes the supplement. No title page was published, but the printed wrapper of the first part (originally published as 10 parts) was bound into the volume. It is bound in contemporary green half morocco, spine is in 6 compartments with gilt fish ornaments and lettering, top edges gilt. The plates are after Wilhelm von Wright and the text was started by Bengt Fredrik Fries and completed by Carl Ulrich Ekström and Carl Jacob Sundevall.

Wilhelm von Wright (1810-1887) was a Finnish-born natural history painter. Skandinaviens Fiskar was considered his masterpiece. He began the work in 1836 and was completed with the help of his younger brother Ferdinand.

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. The spine is faded to brown. The work itself can be prone to foxing, but this is a very clean presentation overall with some minor foxing and browning, most in near perfect condition. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
~ 11 1/2" by 9 3/8"