AVES HAWAIIENSES: The Birds of the Sandwich Islands
This is a superlative collection of plates from the 1st edition of the publication which was issued in parts from 1890 to 1899. The book was authored by Scott B. Wilson and A. H. Evans and printed by R. H. Porter, London, with the plates by Frederick W. Frohawk and printed by West, Newman. They are all full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and all are in absolutely superb condition. Quite extraordinary prints and quite rare. Many of the birds are now extinct and those that aren't are endangered. More information on the book and artist can be found at the bottom of the page. The last two, Puffinus and Oestralata, will be on eBay Monday evening the 19th of January for a 7-day sale under our user name foxhillantiquescom beginning at our usual $9.00 opening bid with no reserve. Please note that the taxonomy for most of these has changed dramatically over the years and while I have attempted to research these as much as possible, I'm sure I have erred on some of them in trying to correct the names as given in the 1890's!!
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Ciridops anna, known as Ula-ai-hawane in Hawaii. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does include the original information page from the book, and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well. I believe only five taxidermy examples are known in collections world-wide. The name derives from "Ula" (red), "ai" (to eat), and "Hawane" (the Hawane Palm)!! It was not found by anyone during the research expeditions for the book and so Frohawk used a specimen from the collection of Walter Rothschild. However, according to the information page, Ciridops had been seen recently in "the swampy forest-region above Ookala on Hawaii". By publication, Ciridops anna, was determined to be extinct.
Price: ON RESERVE
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Buteo solitarius, known as the Hawaiian Hawk or 'Io. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does include the original information page from the book, and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well. This species is on the endangered list and is the only Bird of Prey indigenous to the Islands.
Price: ON RESERVE
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Bernicla sandvicensis (now Branta sandvicensis), known as the Hawaiian Goose or Nehe and is the State Bird. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does include the original information page from the book, and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well. This species is on the endangered list.
Price: On eBay Wednesday Evening the 21st of January
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Hemignathus procerus, known as the Kauai Honeycreeper or Kauai Akialoa in Hawaii. The information pages list this as the "Iiwi", but this has been determined to be another species of Akialoa particular to the Island of Kauai. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does include the original information page from the book, and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well. This species is on the endangered list.
Price: ON RESERVE
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Hemignathus olivaceus (later obscurus, I believe), known as the Hawaii Honeycreeper or Hawaii Akialoa. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does include the original information page from the book, and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well. This species is considered to be extinct on the island of Hawaii.
Price: ON RESERVE
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing two species of Loxops: Loxops coccinea and Loxops flammea (now Paroreomyza). Coccinea is known as the Akepa (listed on the information page as "Akepeuie" which is a name variation) and is particular to the island of Hawaii where it is listed as endangered. Flammea is known as the Molokai Creeper or Kakawahie and is possibly now extinct. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does include the original information pages from the book for both species, and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well.
Price: ON RESERVE
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing two species of Loxops: Loxops aurea and Loxops rufa. Rufa, known as the Oahu Akepa is now probably extinct and since I do not have the information pages for this print, I do not know where aurea was found. I suspect that aurea is possibly the variation found on Maui or Kauai. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does NOT include the original information pages from the book, but will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book.
Price: ON RESERVE
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Himatione newtoni, now Hemignathus virens subsp. wilsoni. This is known as the Maui Amakihi. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does include the original information page from the book, and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well.
Price: ON RESERVE
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Viridonia sagittirostris (later Hemignathus, I believe), known as the Greater Amakihi. This was found on the Island of Hawaii and is now extinct. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does include the original information page from the book, and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well.
Price: ON RESERVE
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Pennula ecaudata (later Porzana sandwichensis), known as the Hawaiian Rail. The information page refers to this as the "Moho" and has been the subject of much taxonomic discussion!! This species is now extinct. This is full-sized as issued 12 5/8 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does include the original information page from the book, and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well.
Price: On eBay Monday Evening the 26th of January
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Puffinus cuneatus, Wedge-tailed Shearwater also known in the Hawaiian Islands as Uau Kane. This is full-sized as issued 12 3/4 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawing to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker and there is a light spot or two along the lower edge. This includes the original information page from the book and will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book as well.
Price: On eBay Monday evening the 19th
This is a superb original hand-colored stone lithograph from the above publication showing Oestrelata phæopygia, Hawaiian Dark-Rumped Petrel, also known in the Hawaiian Islands as `ua`u. This is full-sized as issued 12 3/4 x 10 inches and is in absolutely superb condition. Signed in the lithographic stone by Frohawk with the initials. Frohawk not only provided the watercolor drawings, but he also transferred his drawings to the lithographic stone with the printing done by West, Newman. This has never been framed and was carefully stored in a mylar sleeve. The colors are as fresh and bright as they were in 1899. The paper has lightly toned to a pale ivory with the very edges toned just a bit darker. This does NOT include the original information page from the book, but will be sold with photocopies of the title page and introduction to the book.
Price: On eBay Monday evening the 19th
This was, of course, the authoritative work on the Birds of the Hawaiian Islands and remains so today. Some of the species became extinct shortly after the book went into publication, and some were not even found "in situ" when the research began and so the plates were produced from taxidermy examples in collections. While the descriptive portions of the book are certainly important, the contribution of the illustrator is really paramount.
FREDERICK WILLIAM FROHAWK (1861-1946), at least to my eye, was the worthy successor to the great John Gerard Keulemans. His attention to minute detail and his ability to render a lifeless skin of a bird into something full of life and animation was truly a gift only bestowed upon a handful of the great Bird artists. The added bonus of Frohawk, as with Keulemans, Smit, Lear, and Wolf, was that he was also a lithographer, and so the great technique contained in his original watercolors and sketches is carried onto the lithographic stone. He was truly someone who belonged in the great days of hand-colored prints, but was born just a bit too late to be heralded amongst the great artists of the Victorian age. Never-the-less, he distinguished himself on this publication and a few others. As stated in Jackson's "Bird Artists of the World", "....he attempted to represent a living bird of character, rather than just a representative of the species.". An added bonus for Aves Hawaiienses is that Scott Wilson was acquainted with Mrs. Francis Sinclair, the author of "The Flora fo the Hawaiian Islands", and goes on to say in his preface: "(to Mrs. Sinclair), I must tender my sincerest thanks for having allowed my artist, Mr. Frohawk, in many instances to make use of portions of the plates in that work as backgrounds, thereby enabling me to reproduce the indigenous trees and plants at the same time as the birds.". It was almost as if Frohawk knew that many of the species he would be sketching would be shortly gone and so, as Christine Jackson put it...."the illustrations are very fine examples of Frohawk's careful work.".
Cited Sources: Ayer 686; Fine Bird Books 115; Jackson, Lithography 105; McGill 631; Nissen IVB 1000; SVB 537; Sothebys Martin Collection Lot 236