Well, it is nearly Christmas time once again, and of course the last year of the current millenium begins soon after (though many misguided folks believe the new millenium actually starts next year). After a hectic year of moving house and changing jobs, my creative juices are nearly expired for this year. So for the last month of 1999, I want to give you somewhat of a treat (without having to think too hard).

Some time ago in a second-hand bookshop, I stumbled across a rather weathered and moth-eaten old tome entitled 'Poultry', by Hugh Piper (2nd Edition). I paid the princely sum of thirty Australian dollars (the original price for the book was 3 shillings and nine pence, which equates to about 40 cents) and walked out of the shop with a small piece (or should I say, pieces) of poultry history.

"What is this treat?", I hear you asking. The afore-mentioned book, published in 1872, came with eight beautiful hand printed lithographs, of which seven remained intact within the crumbling covers. Before I have it restored, and as the honourable Mr. Piper has no doubt long passed on and the book well out of print, I have reproduced the seven plates here for your viewing pleasure.

If you are expecting accurate images of poultry from that era, you may well be disappointed, but if you appreciate fine old craftsmanship and have an eye for the more quaint things of the nineteenth century, then I know you will enjoy looking at them as much as I do.

So, all I have to say to you before you get to the pictures is... Merry Christmas and a wonderful (feather filled) New Year to you all!

PS. I have installed much larger images on my own server, which you may download and print, simply by clicking on each image on this page. Frame them and you have a delightful gift for the poultry lover in your family! Oh, and if anyone has a copy of this book and the eighth plate... please let me know.

  Plate 1: Cochins, Brahmas and Malay Games

  Plate 2: Hamburghs and Spanish

  Plate 3: Polish

  Plate 4: French breeds

  Plate 5: Various bantams

  Plate 6: Turkeys and Guinea fowls