Natural History Art, Fish, Walter Alois Weber, Antique Watercolors

Description

Walter Alois Weber was a prominent American wildlife artist of the mid 20th century. He was born in Chicago, and began taking classes at the Art Institute of Chicago as a child. He graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in zoology and botany in 1927 and continued studying at the Art Institute. He was mentored by animal artists Allan Brooks and Carl Rungius. From 1928 to 1931, he worked for the Field Museum of Natural History, and afterwards as a freelance wildlife artist. In 1936, he moved to Washington, D.C., to work as chief scientific illustrator for the National Park Service. In the 1940s he worked as an ornithologist at the U.S. National Museum and as a freelance artist. He had a long association with the National Geographic Society, working as a staff artist and naturalist from 1949 until his retirement in 1971. In 1967, the U.S. Department of the Interior gave him its highest honor, the Conservation Service Award.

Weber’s work was published in seven books sponsored by the Wildlife Management Institute, as well as Book of Dogs, Song and Garden Birds of North America, Water Prey and Game Birds of North America, Wondrous World of Fishes, Wild Animals of North America, Birds of Colorado, Birds of the Republic of Panama, and Breeding Birds of North Dakota. His paintings appeared on over 250 stamps issued by the National Wildlife Federation from 1940 to 1961, and he designed two federal duck stamps.

Condition: Each generally fine overall — the colors rich and vibrant — with only minor toning and handling. Few very short marginal tears or creases, restored. Color of paper tones varies, as issued.

Reference:

“Walter Alois Weber.” Washington Biologists’ Field Club. 17 May 2016. http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry/bios/weberwalter.htm (20 May 2016).