Four 19th Century Gilt Framed Bird Lithographs 'The Naturalist Atlas'

A striking selection of four large hand-coloured lithograph plate from 'The Naturalist Atlas' colouring by H. v. Hirt, published Dusseldorf 1824-1842. History; Artists and Engravers: Georg August Goldfuss (Goldfuss, 1782-1848) was a German palaeontologist and zoologist. Goldfuss was born at Thurnau near Bayreuth. He was educated at Erlangen, where he graduated PhD in 1804 and became a professor of zoology in 1818. He was subsequently appointed professor of zoology and mineralogy at the University of Bonn. Aided by Count Georg zu Münster, he issued the important Petrefacta Germaniae (1826-44) and this Naturalist Atlas. The plates are by H. v. Hirt. Condition: Fine. General age-related toning- foxing as visible on images.