This magnificent lithographic print of Constant's Star-throat (Heliomaster constanti) is Plate 57 from Volume 4 of the ever popular A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Hummingbirds by John Gould and issued between 1849-1861. Drawn and lithographed by Gould & Richter. As many new species were found, so Gould later also issued a Supplement (1880-87). The elegant, darting birds are shown throughout with beautifully realised flora and backgrounds. Gould also patented a process of applying metal leaf and washes of colour to mimic their brightness and producing an iridescent finish. There are 6 volumes with 418 hand-coloured lithographs after John Gould, Henry Constantine Richter and William Hart. Gould maintained an obsessive fascination for Hummingbirds: "These wonderful works of creation. my thoughts are often directed to them in the day, and my night dreams have not infrequently carried me to their native forests in the distant country of America". During his lifetime he identified more than 400 species of Hummingbird, Linneaus, by comparison, having only identified 22. Gould famously exhibited his personal collection (from which the plates in this monograph are drawn) at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in the Zoological Gardens in Regents Park. Size: Approximately 22in x 15in (52cm x 36cm)

The print is in excellent condition on thick, high quality paper. Please inspect the image carefully