Title: Passenger Pigeon
Ectopistes migratorius
(Plate II of Aquatint Series)
Date: 1973

Medium: Copperplate Aquatint Etching on heavy acid-free watermarked [J Whatman, England 1949 Mould Made] archival paper
Colors: Original Hand Colored
Dimension: image (no clear image border but close to the plate mark), plate mark (59.7 x 89.5 cm or 23 1/2 x 35 1/4 inch), paper (70.4 x 106.7 cm or 27 3/4 x 42 inch)
Edition size: 500
Special Attributes: Artist pencil signed and numbered [396/500]

Credits: John A Ruthven (original artist), Norma Morgan (engraver/etcher), Andersen-Lamb (printer), Wildlife International Inc. Georgetown, Ohio (publisher / distributor)
Condition:

    This beautiful print of Passenger Pigeon (last one died in Cincinnati Zoo in 1914) is in excellent condition plus [i.e., clear and pristine image, strong and bright paper, vivid colors, original full margins (with deckle edge left, right, and bottom), no bend, no tear, never framed, slight but even age toning – likely one of the nicest condition you will ever encounter for this print]. It was printed on high quality acid-free heavy archival paper with J Whatman watermarks [of J Waterman, 1949  Mould Made, England, the last batch of J Waterman paper, all bought by Ruthven]. Ample photos in high resolution are provided for your convenience of identification and judging its high quality independently.

  Flaws to note: nearly flawless with some natural warping of the paper around the edges [which is normal for this paper]

Description:

      John Ruthven is a well-known American wildlife artists currently residing in Georgetown, Ohio. He was regarded by many as the 20th century Audubon. Like Audubon, his usual medium is watercolor. His prints of aquatint series were the closest followers of the Audubon tradition [e.g., line engraving on copperplate with aquatint, he even utilized the same high quality J Whatman watermarked paper just as Audubon did in his Birds of North America].

      Published in 1973, this limited print of Passenger Pigeon was the 2nd plate of his famed aquatint series [of extinct North American Birds]. Please note that this is not one of his usual photo-mechanical lithographic prints. Of all his 100s of published limited prints, only four or five were done via the expansive aquatint technique.  This print was painstakingly engraved [with aquatint - a special etching technique that simulates watercolor very well] by Norma Gloria Morgan [1928 - ] and printed by Andersen-Lamb then followed by hand coloring [some area by Ruthven himself]. Hence, each print is quite unique [in shade and colors]. It is also one of his largest prints and with the best paper available.

    Please note the modest asking price with no reserve for this collector's item [especially in such impeccable condition]. All reasonable offers will be seriously considered. Thanks for looking and Happy bidding!

     It will be securely package [together with all the matching accessories of original promo flyers as shown] and shipped via USPS priority mail with insurance [included in shipping and handling fee] for domestic address or registration for international address. No local pick up please, regular shipping and handling apply to all.

      Note that this item (and our other antique maps and prints) is absolutely and unconditionally guaranteed [with full 100% money back including shipping / handling and your return postage and with no-question-asked return policy ] to be authentic and original [i.e., not a later copy or reproduction] and as described. Free shipping and handling for most additional item when combine shipping. Please take a look at our other related maps/prints items on eBay store or auction format.

© The descriptive text above shows the depth of my research and familiarity to the item. It is against ebay policy to copy the text [in part or in its entirety] without my explicit consent or permission.