Engraving, 1503. 215x154 mm; 8 1/2x6 1/8 inches. A brilliant, richly-inked and early Meder I a impression with particularly strong contrasts, before the scratches in the plate, and no sign of wear, consistent with the earliest impressions of this subject. Small jug watermark. Trimmed on the plate mark with narrow margins outside the black border line.
The watermark on this sheet is not that identified by Meder as number 158 (nor Briquet 12494), for his I c quality impressions; it is a similar watermark, dating from the late 1400s/early 1500s, but unidentified by Meder and found on some other extremely early impressions of other subjects. This current impression printed with all the characteristics of a Meder I a impression, including the burr on the tips of the wings and every detail distinct. Bartsch 101; Meder 98.
