estateRUTH.

Identification

W.H. Lizars Engraving 'The Lead Coloured Dolphin and The Bridled Dolphin', Plate 25

Photo reference

3 uploaded photos

Overview

Visual evidence confirms the subject and plate number ('PLATE 25'), which matches the 'Whales' volume of Sir William Jardine's 'The Naturalist's Library', engraved by W. H. Lizars.

Story

Engraved by William Home Lizars (1788–1859), a prominent Scottish painter and engraver. It was published in Edinburgh as part of Sir William Jardine's 'The Naturalist's Library' (1833-1843), a highly successful 40-volume series that brought natural history to the Victorian middle class. The included Certificate of Authenticity from Lahaina Printsellers provides established retail provenance. The secondary market for 19th-century natural history book plates is saturated but steady.

Maker / Origin

W.H. Lizars

Condition & Value

The visible condition appears stable, but the framing obscures the margins, preventing a full assessment of foxing, toning, or edge tears. The primary condition variables affecting value are whether the print is laid down (glued) to the backing board and whether it is actually hand-colored, as the photos appear monochrome despite the COA's description. Appears well-preserved within a custom mat and brass-toned metal frame. The backing retains a COA from Lahaina Printsellers confirming acid-free framing materials, which helps prevent paper yellowing and foxing over time.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for 19th-century natural history book plates is saturated but steady. Buyers are typically decorators or casual collectors rather than high-end antiquarian print collectors, who tend to prefer larger folios like Audubon or Gould. Single plates from octavo-sized works like Jardine's move best when attractively framed and hand-colored.

Value Drivers

▲ Confirmed origin from Sir William Jardine's renowned 'Naturalist's Library' (1837-1843)

▲ Included gallery Certificate of Authenticity provides strong retail provenance

▲ Framed presentation appeals to the decorative market, lifting value above loose plates

Concerns

▼ Ambiguous coloring — if confirmed as uncolored (black and white), the estimate drops toward the $15-$25 floor

▼ Unverified mounting method — if the print is glued down to the backing board, antiquarian value is severely diminished

▼ Obscured margins — framing hides potential edge tears, foxing, or trimming

Best Venue

List on a broad online marketplace like eBay or a decorative arts platform like Chairish where framed natural history prints perform well. Price at $50-$60 for a retail buyer, emphasizing the gallery COA and the frame. Do not remove it from the frame to check the margins, as the frame provides the bulk of the premium over a loose plate.

Upside Potential

If the print is confirmed to be vibrantly hand-colored and archivally mounted (not glued down), it could reach the $65-$80 retail range on a specialized decorative platform.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 9 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • Austin Auction Gallery· 2026-02-20
    (6) Framed Hand-Colored Engravings, Zoological Book Illustrations
    Excerpt describes a modern painting by Petronella Greer, conflicting with the title.
    $738
  • Austin Auction Gallery· 2026-02-21
    Elephant of India, Plate 2, Indian Rhinoceros, Plate 9, Siamang, Plate 4, Jaguar, Plate 12, Mongoose, Plate 5, Asian Palm Civet, Plate 6
    Group of six mammal engravings; different quantity.
    $600
  • Wittenborn Art Books
    The Naturalist's Library. Vol. XXVI. Mammalia. Whales . Original Edition. (Hardcover)
    This is an entire hardcover volume, not a single engraved plate.
    $450
  • Frogtown Books Inc.
    The Naturalist's Library. Mamalia. Vol. VI on the Ordinary Cetacea or Whales
    This is an entire volume on whales, not a single engraved plate.
    $275
  • Crescent City Auction Gallery· 2015-06-21
    William Home Lizars (1788-1859), "Ornithology," and two "Entomology," 19th c., group of three hand-colored title pages from the "Naturalist's Library," framed
    Group of three framed title pages, not individual animal plates.
    $214
  • North American Auction Company· 2026-01-24
    1789-1883 W.H. Lizar Etchings J. Stewart Artwork
    Group of ten framed etchings; different quantity and presentation.
    $194
  • MutualArt
    The Spermaceti Whale
    Link could not be verified.
    $175
  • MutualArt· 2024-09-18
    Original Hand-Colored Engraving, featuring the Hawkins Gymnetrus and the Red Band Fish, 1840s
    Link could not be verified.
    $115
  • Heatons in Tisbury
    The Lead Coloured Dolphin The Bridled Dolphin Steel engraving in original hand colouring
    Link could not be verified.
    $15