Australian - John Gould

John Gould’s monumental publication, The Birds of Australia, is regarded as one of the greatest ornithological achievements of the nineteenth century. This seven-volume work introduced the world to Australia’s extraordinary avian diversity at a time when much of the continent’s wildlife was still unknown to European science. Lithographs from John Gould’s greatest work, ‘The Birds of Australia’, begun in London on 1 December 1840. The final parts, making a total of thirty-six, appeared in 1848. They were bound in seven volumes and the cost to subscribers was £115. A supplement volume issued in parts was completed in 1869.

The lithographs were based on Gould’s extensive fieldwork in Australia and were primarily drawn by his wife Elizabeth Gould, whose masterful compositions combine scientific observation with elegance of form. Following her death, artists including Henry Constantine Richter continued the work under Gould’s direction. Each plate was printed using stone lithography and then meticulously hand-coloured, resulting in subtle tonal variations that make every original impression unique.

Featuring iconic species such as the Laughing Kookaburra, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, Superb Fairy-wren, Lyrebird, Black Swan, and Gang-gang Cockatoo, these prints document Australia’s distinctive fauna long before photography became widespread. They remain essential references for ornithologists, collectors, and historians alike.

Today, authentic John Gould lithographs are highly sought after for their rarity, condition, vibrancy of original colour, and full plate margins. Whether collected as fine art, displayed as decorative wall pieces, or acquired as part of a scholarly collection, these original nineteenth-century prints from The Birds of Australia represent the pinnacle of natural history illustration and a timeless record of Australia’s unique birdlife.