Gene Jarvis: Blue-faced Booby

Artist: Gene Jarvis
1921 - 1990
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1978
Image Size: 9.5 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 12.75 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Pen and Ink on Hot Press Illustration Board

Centuries ago, when the Scandinavians first settled the area now called England, they named the gannet the solan goose. Solan was derived from sula, the old Norse word for gannet, and goose referred to the bird's lovely plumage. Even today, many people know this bird as the sea goose. Understandably, up until the fifteenth century -- the era of the great exploration voyages -- no European even imagined that the gannets had tropical relatives in the boobies. During his voyages to the New World, Columbus recorded numerous sightings of a bird he called alcatraz. This spanish word meant pelican, but in the fifteenth century, pelican referred to the largest seabird in any given area. No doubt, the seabirds Columbus sighted were boobies. Today, six species of booby are known: Abbot's Booby, Red-footed Booby, Blue-faced Booby, Brown Booby, Blue-footed Booby, and Peruvian Booby. All these species thrive near the world's warm seas. The Blue-faced Booby featured in this artwork finds his home in Grenada where warm Caribbean waters suit his lifestyle perfectly. There, this dark-visaged mariner chases flying fish through the air. In a dramatic air dive, the bird snatches a fish and plunges underwater. Often, he devours his catch before surfacing. Frequently, this booby glides above seagoing ships, making use of the air currents caused by the vessels. Sometimes called a Masked Booby, the large, Blue-faced Booby is one of the most interesting birds of Grenada.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Grenada 75¢ Blue-faced Booby stamp issued March 9, 1978.

Artwork Copyright © 1978 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05451

US$ Price: Reg. $950.00 Today $475.00

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