Friedrich Wilhelm Schmidt, “Raja Clavata”, 1782

Friedrich Wilhelm Schmidt (jr.) (fl. late-1700s)

“Raja Clavata” (aka “Thornback Ray”), 1782, engraving with hand-colouring heightened with silver and gum arabic (as published) after the intermediary design by Krüger (jr.) (fl. late-1700s), plate 83 (LXXXIII) to the most important ichthyology (fish) references to be published in the 18^th century, Marcus Elieser Bloch’s (1723–1799) “Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Fische” (General Natural History of Fishes), published in Berlin between 1782 and 1795 by the author. Interestingly, the Smithsonian Libraries & Archives advise that Bloch “was the first to name and describe many of the species featured in the book and it remains an important reference for researchers today” (https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/2015/07/09/blochs-allgemeine-naturgeschichte-der-fische/). This is a rare print and as Christie’s Auctions point out in regard to the complete copy that they were offering in December 2015, “only 3 other complete copies are recorded in ABPC since 1975” (see https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5949523).

Archive.org offers on online view of this print in its context in the publication, “Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Fische”, 1782: https://archive.org/details/DMarcusElieserBplatBloc/page/LXXXIII/mode/1up.

Engraving on laid paper with full margins and hand-colouring as published.

Size: (sheet) 25.1 x 43.5 cm; (plate) 23.5 x 37.4 cm; (image borderline) 21.2 x 34.8 cm.

Inscribed in plate: (below the image borderline at left) “Krüger. jun: del.”; (within the image borderline at upper left) “Verkleinert.”; (upper right) “Taf: LXXXIII./ RAJA CLAVATA./ Der Nagelroche./ La Raie Boucleé/ The Thornback.”; (lower right) 83^te Tafel./ F.W.Schmidt. jun.”

Condition: a strong impression with vibrant unfaded colour in excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or significant stains.

I am selling this large, rare and magnificent hand-coloured (as published) engraving—note that the colour is more intense in reality (“in the flesh”) as the generous quantity of gum arabic in the watercolour has given great luminosity to the colouring and the effect is further enhanced by the touches of silver on the ray’s spines/“thorns” and textures towards the centre of its body—for AU $322 in total (currently/approximately US $201.96/ EUR 195.78/ GBP 162.85 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU $322) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this remarkably beautiful engraving, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold