Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #133 begins on 20 Aug 2026

Stark (Arthur) & Sclater (William Lutley)

THE FAUNA OF SOUTH AFRICA

The Birds of South Africa

Published: R.H. Porter, London, 1900-1906

Reserve: $300

Approximately:

Estimate: $400-500

Bidding opens: 20 Aug 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 27 Aug 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

Lot 226 preview

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4 volumes, xxx + 322 pages, xiv + 323 pages, xvii + 416 pages, xvii + 545 pages, frontis. in vol. II foxed, illustrated, folding map in vol. II, vol. I binding taped at endpapers, vol. I & II hinges weak, vol. II front and back covers stained, hardback, London, 1900-1906

Ownership signature dated 1900 of Henrik Gronvold who contributed the illustrations to the volumes.

Loosely inserted at the back of volume one are a number of pencil sketches and ink drawings by Henrik Gronvold which correspond to some of the illustrations in the book. 

Also included is a postcard dated 1932 and addressed to Gronvold at Albert Bridge Road, London, and an envelop re-routing the postcard to The Bird Room, British Museum (Natural History).

Henrik Gronvold (1858-1940) was a Danish naturalist and artist known for his illustrations of birds, contributing work to a number of publications. 

"In 1892, Grønvold left Denmark intending to emigrate to the United States. While stopping in London en route, he was employed at the Natural History Museum preparing anatomical specimens... [He] became a skilled taxidermist, and established a reputation as an artist. He was employed at the Museum until 1895, when he accompanied William Ogilvie-Grant on an expedition to the Salvage Islands. After this expedition, Grønvold worked at the Museum in an unofficial capacity as an artist for decades, and only left London to attend an ornithological congress in Berlin." (from Wikipedia)

  • Size: 4to., 245 x 180mm


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