A set of six embossed bird pictures circa 1760, attributed to Isaac Spackman

depicting a blue and yellow Maccaw, an Indian black headed Jeterus, a white headed parrot, a brown and white Partridge, an Indian Redstart, and a Roller, the reverse of each picture variously bearing the manuscript label of Mary Stevens, 22 Westgate, Chichester together with the printed paper trade label of `J. P. Ballard, Reading Fine Art Gallery, 21 Cross Street, Reading'. Minor variations to dimensions of frames

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Isaac Spackman, a painter specialising in ornithological subjects, worked from premises in Islington London, between 1750 and 1771. During the period he produced three sets of twelve embossed bird pictures, the first set in 1754, the second in 1764 and the last in 1769. Like his contemporary, Samuel Dixon, Spackman based much of his work on George Edwards' Natural History of Uncommon Birds (1743-51).

The picture of the Macaw, offered here forms part of the 1764 set and is derived from Edwards', Natural History, vol. IV, Pl. 158.

Examples of Spackman's work sold Christie's, London, 29 January 1984, lot 20 and 19 November 1992, lot 6. Another example, formerly in the collection of Mrs Robert Tritton at Godmersham Park, sold Christie's, 6-9 June 1983, lot 248. A set of five bird pictures by Spackman sold in these room 18 November 1994, lot 11. Tother works by Spackman are illustrated in `More about Samuel Dixon and his Imitators', The Quarterly Bulletin of the Irish Georgian Society, June 1980.