Vintage duck drawing of a pair of Aylesburys. The Aylesbury duck is a domesticated duck. Raising white ducks became popular in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. The origins of this bird aren’t really know but it is believed the species we know today was developed through selective breeding in Aylesbury. In a sort of foster system, in the 19th century, local residents would rear the ducklings in their homes in preparation for transport to the London markets. Aylebury ducks were cross-bred to make them hardier and cheaper to raise. As a consequence, there is only one flock of pure Ayelsbury ducks in the UK and it is classified as critically endangered in the United States. The good news is that you’ll be in no danger if you decide to use this vintage duck drawing. It, like all of our other bird images, is in the public domain.
Can you just imagine how much work went into a publication from 1882 the size of Hill’s Album of Biography and Art? Thomas E. Hill included illustrations and page decorations on virtually every page. Over 200 of them are now showcased here on Reusable Art and will hopefully make their way to many new projects and explorations in creativity.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.
