Ornithological lithograph in the style of John Gould

This item is a detailed ornithological print, stylistically consistent with the hand-colored lithographs of the 19th century, particularly those published by John Gould. The illustration depicts what appears to be a Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) in its vibrant green and red plumage, alongside a more moderately colored individual, possibly representing sexual dimorphism within the species. The central figure is perched on a branch accented with light blue blossoms, framed against a background of tropical foliage and distant palms. The color palette is rich, utilizing graduated greens, deep reds, and soft pastels in the floral elements. The precision of the feathering and the anatomical accuracy are hallmarks of professional natural history illustration of the Victorian era. While the composition and technique are highly characteristic of the Gould or Richard Bowdler Sharpe style of publication, there is no signature or publisher's credit visible in the cropped image to verify an attribution. The paper appears relatively clean with minimal visible foxing or discoloration at this resolution, though physical inspection would be required to determine the medium's age and the presence of any underlying watermarks or plate marks.

Based on the provided image, I have evaluated this ornithological print depicting a Resplendent Quetzal. Stylistically, the composition and precise anatomical rendering are highly consistent with 19th-century hand-colored lithographs published by figures such as John Gould. However, based on what I can see in the photograph alone, there are no visible publisher credits, signatures, or dates. Therefore, any association with Gould or his contemporaries remains a working hypothesis. I cannot determine the exact age, printing method, or paper composition from a mere photograph. The estimated value of $400 to $700 is based on the assumption that this is a period 19th-century hand-colored lithograph. Market demand for Victorian-era natural history illustrations remains stable, with vibrant, exotic subjects like the Quetzal typically commanding higher interest from collectors than more common species. To evaluate the piece accurately, a physical inspection is required to examine the paper for watermarks, identify structural characteristics like plate marks, and view the pigments under magnification to distinguish hand-coloring from mechanical reproduction. If an in-person examination indicates that this is a modern decorative print, copy, or mechanical reproduction rather than a period lithograph, the secondary market value would decrease significantly, likely falling into the $30 to $80 range.