Two natural history plates in the style of Magnus or Wilhelm von Wright

A pair of ornithological color lithographs or high-quality book plates, each depicting an owl in a naturalistic setting. The top plate illustrates a Ural owl, inscribed with the taxonomic name 'STRIX URALENSIS' and 'M. v. Wright del. et lith.', while the bottom plate shows a Great Grey owl inscribed 'STRIX LAPPONICA' and 'W. v. Wright del.'. The style is consistent with 19th-century European scientific illustration, specifically the 'Svenska Foglar' series. Each sheet measures approximately 14-15 inches in width based on the adjacent ruler. The paper exhibits a light cream-to-off-white tone, appearing relatively clean with some slight edge wear and what looks like remnants of binding along the top edges. The printing shows fine detail in the plumage and bark textures, consistent with quality chromolithographic or hand-colored engraving techniques of the 19th or early 20th century. While the signatures and captions are legible, they require in-person verification to determine if they are period prints or later facsimiles, as modern reproductions frequently replicate original maker marks.

Based on my examination of the provided images, I have assessed this pair of ornithological subjects. The prints bear inscriptions and stylistic signatures consistent with the work of Magnus and Wilhelm von Wright, specifically corresponding to the celebrated 'Svenska Foglar' (Swedish Birds) series. From what I can see, the fine detail in the plumage and the subtle tonal gradations suggest these could be 19th-century chromolithographs or hand-colored engravings. However, I cannot verify from a photo whether these are period productions or high-quality modern facsimiles, as many reproductions accurately replicate original captions and plate marks. The visible edge wear and remnants of binding suggest a history as part of a physical volume, which is typical for items of this nature. My valuation range of $400 - $800 assumes these are period-correct plates in good condition. Scientific illustrations from the Wright brothers are highly regarded in the natural history market for their accuracy and aesthetic appeal. If these were determined to be late 20th-century reproductions or digital prints, the market value would likely drop significantly, potentially to $50 - $100 for the pair. To provide a more robust assessment, a physical inspection is required to examine the paper's watermark, the presence of an impression mark from the printing plate, and the behavior of the ink under magnification. Confirming the provenance or finding these plates within an intact original binding would also support a higher valuation. The current market shows steady demand for antique raptor illustrations, though values fluctuate based on the specific species depicted and the crispness of the coloring.