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George EdwardsGeorge Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds1749-1761
1749-1761
$1,650
£1,250.23
€1,432.04
CA$2,337.04
A$2,550.25
CHF 1,337.65
MX$30,973.66
NOK 16,707.98
SEK 15,789.88
DKK 10,688.21
About the Item
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761.
A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural History of Uncommon Birds"", which he published between 1743 and 1761 whilst Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians in London. It contains coloured engravings and descriptions of more than six hundred species ""not before described or delineated"" and introduced an English audience to many exotic birds from Europe, Asia and North and South America. Beautifully coloured, many by his own hand, Edwards' engravings have great charm and an enduring appeal.
Presented in parcel-gilt, hand-made decalcomania frames.
Framed size: 398 x 348 mm (15.75 x 13.75 inches)
- Creator:George Edwards (1694 - 1773, English)
- Creation Year:1749-1761
- Dimensions:Height: 15.75 in (40.01 cm)Width: 13.75 in (34.93 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Richmond, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: 101151stDibs: LU155628317402
George Edwards
Known today as the Father of British Ornithology, George Edwards was a draftsman and naturalist who popularized the art of bird and animal illustrations throughout the 18th century. His main collections of etchings, which were bound as the volumes A Natural History of Uncommon Birds and Gleaning of Natural History, together comprise more than 600 animals and were the first works to delineate many of the featured species.
Edwards cultivated an interest in natural history while traveling around Europe, becoming particularly enamored with birds. Upon his return to the United Kingdom, in 1733, Irish physicist Hans Sloane, an acquaintance of British naturalists/illustrators Eleazar Albin and Mark Catesby, offered Edwards a librarian position at the Royal College of Physicians. The job granted him access to a large collection of works on natural history, which he explored enthusiastically.
With instruction from Catesby, Edwards learned etching and spent much of his time preparing plates and drawings for his books. While Edwards hand-colored his early editions, later works were colored in by other artists, like British artist Peter Paillou, allowing Edwards to focus on etching and writing.
George Edwards earned his reputation for both his illustrations and written descriptions of his subjects — widely acclaimed for their accuracy. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus cited Edwards’s texts when developing his major work, Systema Naturæ. The Royal Society in London awarded Edwards the Copley Medal in 1750 for outstanding achievement in the field of science. Edwards retired in 1763 to Plaistow, England, and died in 1773.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of George Edwards engravings and wall decorations.
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George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
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George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
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Located in Richmond, GB
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Category
18th Century Animal Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
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George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761.
A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category
18th Century Animal Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761.
A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category
18th Century Animal Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
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Title: "Set of Two Hand-Colored Ornithological Engravings by George Edwards"
Portfolio: A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, and of Some Other Rare and Undescribed Animals / Gleanings Of Natural History
Year: 1743-1764
Medium: Set of Two Original Hand-Colored Engravings on watermarked laid and wove papers
Limited edition: Unknown
Printer: C. Rickaby, London, UK
Publisher: William Gardiner and Messrs. Robinson, London, UK
Reference: Mullens and Swann page 194-195; Anker No. 124-126; Fine Bird Books page 93; Lisney page 128-144; Nissen IVB No. 286-288; Zimmer page 192-198
Sheet size (each): approx. 11.25" x 9"
Image size (each): approx. 8.63" x 7.38"
Condition: "90" has faint offsetting to sheet. "308" has one foxmark center right. They are both otherwise in excellent condition with strong colors
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Comes from Edwards seven volume portfolio "A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, and of Some Other Rare and Undescribed Animals" / "Gleanings Of Natural History" (1743-1764), which consists of 362 hand-colored engravings. "90" is on laid paper with a "fleur-de-lis" watermark at center left edge. "308" is on wove paper with no watermark. The last image of the cover title sheets is for reference/provenance; it is not included.
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