Seems a shame that such a lovely giraffe drawing was buried in one of the most controversial editions of Encyclopedia Britannica (Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12). The good news is that this entire edition is in the public domain. Though it is criticized for what are now politically incorrect views and outdated information, I don’t see how anyone could criticize this lovely lady.
Yes, I know, there’s not way to tell from the drawing whether this is a male or female giraffe. But, there’s just something about the way the face has been drawn that it eludes a feminine air. She is identified as being a North African or Nubian Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis).
The work is signed T. Wood. I’ll leave it to someone with more time to figure out exactly who he is. There’s also some printed information near the bottom, I’m guessing that might be the mark of the engraving firm. Either way, the age of this work, and perhaps its controversial passages puts it in the public domain.
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.