Science Art: The Poultry of the World, 1868

A scientific illustration of chicken breeds, in the form of an ornate oval frame bursting with proud and colorful domestic birds - 52 of them, to be precise.
A scientific illustration of chicken breeds, in the form of an ornate oval frame bursting with proud and colorful domestic birds - 52 of them, to be precise.

Fifty-two breeds of chickens!

This is an educational poster from the 1800s, published by L. Prang & Co., Boston, the makers of “Prang’s American Chromos: FacSimiles of oil paintings, reducing their cost to a few dollars.”

It promises “portraits of all known valuable breeds of fowls” and includes guinea fowl (a personal favorite) along with several kinds of cochins, brahmas, and even coloured dorkings. Coloured dorkings… by Prang!

I found it in Wikimedia Commons’ “Educational Wall Pictures” category.