1862 – Pigeons: Yellow Turbits, Red Jacobin, Carrier & Fantail

A wonderful early colour book plate of 4 breeds of Pigeon, by a master Pigeon breeder and longtime member of the Philoperisteron Society. This image by Harrison Weir is vibrant for an early colour printing and also historically accurate. Weir was visited by Charles Darwin, when that gentleman was interested in breeding Pigeons as part and parcel of his own studies into the sexual behaviour of birds. He communicated regularly with Harrison’s older brother, entymologist and naturalist John Jenner Weir, and with William Bernhardt Tegetmeier, who was considered to be an expert on the Carrier Pigeon and Poultry. All four gentlemen were well acquainted, the two Weirs and Tegetmeier, often judging at Cage-Bird and Poultry Shows. This image is from the 1862 edition of Beetons “Management of HOME PETS” . Currently available in A4, A3 and A2 sizing options.