Description
original hand-colour lithograph. EXTREMELY RARE.
This stunning finely hand-coloured lithograph originates from John Gould’s celebrated “Birds of Asia”. The present example is from the same group of “pattern plates” retained and later acquired by Henry Sotheran & Co. following Gould’s death. This plate was specifically used as the original reference for Gould’s colorist to produce the rest of the work. It is a unique opportunity to own an important part of the production process of Gould’s works.
Produced with contributions from artists including Elizabeth Gould, Edward Lear, Joseph Wolf, William Hart, and H. C. Richter. The Maroon-breasted Pigeon (Phlogoenas crinigera) is a striking ground dove endemic to the Philippines. Found in lowland and foothill forests, it is distinguished by its rich chestnut breast and iridescent plumage. A secretive forest species, it represents the remarkable diversity of the Philippine avifauna and remains an important endemic bird of the archipelago.
![Phlogoenas crinigera [Maroon Breasted Pigeon]](https://www.gop.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/jo65297-Maroon-Breated-Pigeon-Gould.webp)

![1) Merops Bicolor [Rufous-crowned Bee-eater]; 2) Merops Sumatranus [Blue-throated Bee-eater]](https://www.gop.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/JO4358-Tweeddale-600x750.webp)
![Zeocephus Cinnamomeus (Fig. 1) [Rufous Paradise Flycatcher] Z. Cyanescens (Fig. 2), pl.48 [Blue Paradise Flycatcher]](https://www.gop.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/JO55380-Sharpe-1877-Birds-Philippines-600x750.webp)