Latham — Roseate Spoonbill c.1790
Latham — Roseate Spoonbill c.1790
The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is among the most spectacular birds of the American subtropics — its startling pink plumage making it one of the most recognizable species of the Everglades, Florida Keys, and Gulf Coast wetlands. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the species was hunted nearly to extinction for its feathers (used in the millinery trade); its subsequent conservation recovery is one of the great American wildlife stories. Latham's plate captures the species with scientific precision and artistic grace, depicting the characteristic spatula-shaped bill, long legs, and bright plumage.
Pairs with: Our Red Flamingo plate for a matched Florida wading-bird display — see our pair listing.
About John Latham (1740–1837)
John Latham was an English physician and ornithologist — a founding member of the Linnean Society of London and one of the first Fellows of the Royal Society of London to specialize in birds. He is credited with providing the first scientific descriptions of more than 50 Australian bird species, and his work was foundational for subsequent ornithological literature including the work of John Gould.
About the Work
Latham's A General Synopsis of Birds (London, 1781–1785, with supplements through 1801) and the later A General History of Birds (1821–1828) were landmark works illustrated with hand-colored engravings. The plates c.1790 from the Synopsis and its supplements are particularly prized for their depictions of tropical and subtropical species encountered during the first decades of extensive European Pacific exploration.
Scarcity & Market Context
Individual Latham hand-colored plates appear regularly at specialist print dealers and auction houses like Trillium, but particular subjects — the Florida birds (flamingo, spoonbill, roseate), Australian parrots, and other dramatic tropical species — are always in demand and command premium prices. Matched pairs (such as the Roseate Spoonbill and Red Flamingo) are especially scarce in original hand-colored condition with wide margins.
Institutional Holdings
Complete sets at the Natural History Museum (London), the American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian, and major university natural-history libraries.
Dimensions
Sheet approximately 10 × 8 inches
Frame: This piece ships unframed — the sheet or plate only. We can recommend framers in your area or ship to your preferred framer. Professional framing with archival materials typically runs $150–$400 depending on size and finish.
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Important Buyer Notice
These pieces are antique originals, ranging from approximately 100 to over 400 years old. Each piece will show varying degrees of age-appropriate condition: paper toning, foxing, edge wear, fold marks, minor restoration, light staining, and other natural signs of age are common and expected for works of this period. Condition varies from piece to piece.
It is the buyer's responsibility to confirm that the piece is in the condition they require before purchase. We are always happy to answer any questions about the state of the work, provide additional photographs of specific areas, describe any flaws or repairs in detail, or arrange a video review before you buy. Please contact us at any time with questions — we believe an informed buyer is the best customer.
All pieces are guaranteed authentic originals (not reproductions, facsimiles, or modern prints). We offer a full refund if authenticity is ever disputed by a qualified third party.