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.
GEORGE EDWARDS - Two Hand Colored Ornithological Engravings - U.K. - C.1741-1759
By George Edwards
Located in Chatham, ON
GEORGE EDWARDS (Naturalist, ornithologist and artist 1694-1773) - 'A Natural History of Uncommon Birds' (Published in several volumes between 1743 and 1764) - Antique pair of mid 18t...
Glass, Wood, Paper
18th Century Hand Colored Engravings by George Edwards, Set of 2
By George Edwards
Located in Ross, CA
Set of two hand colored engravings by George Edwards (English, 1694-1773). Professionally framed and matted in linen.
Paper
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Original Pastel Drawing "Le Pont de Passes Grilles" by George Wharton Edwards
By George Edwards
Located in San Diego, CA
Original pastel and graphite drawing "Le Pont de Passes Grilles" by George Wharton Edwards, circa early 1900s. The drawing is in good antique co...
Crayon
Willy Eisenschitz Original pastel
Located in Encino, CA
Willy Eisenschitz, "Provence View", "Paysage de Provence" Pastel on paper Measures: H 23" 1/2 x 30" 1/2 x 1/2" with frame H 17" 3/4 x 23" 3/4 (visibl...
Paper
$6,060 / set
H 24 in W 29 in D 1.5 in
J. Kip and L. Knyff 18th Century Hand Colored Engravings, Set of 4
By Johannes Kip
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Set of four antique hand-colored engravings. "Britannia Illustrata," the publication in which these prints originally appeared, was one of the most important topographical works of t...
Paper
Albertus Seba Pair Hand Colored Ornithological Bird Prints
By Albertus Seba 1
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional pair of 18th century hand-colored engraving prints by Albertus Seba (Dutch 1665-1736). Each featuring woven paper mounted in gilt wood frames behind museum grade acrylic....
Acrylic, Giltwood, Paper
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.5 in W 12 in D 0.1 in
"Standing Male Nude, " Pastel Drawing by Allyn Cox, US Capitol Muralist
By Allyn Cox
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully executed in warm, roseate colors -- coral, terra cotta, brick and ivory -- this drawing was made by Allyn Cox, probably as a study for one of many murals he was commissioned to paint at the US Capitol...
Paper
$2,750
H 24 in W 18 in D 0.1 in
"Contemplation, " Brilliantly-Hued Pastel Drawing of Standing Male Nude by Cox
By Allyn Cox
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sensuous and vividly-hued, this pastel drawing of a standing male nude with his head resting against the wall was made by Allyn Cox, son of the famous muralist Kenyon Cox...
Paper
$360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 11 in W 8.75 in D 0.25 in
Three 18th Century Engravings of Fountains at Versailles Gardens by A. Aveline
By Antoine Aveline
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Three small 18th century engravings of fountains at the gardens of Versailles by renowned Parisian engraver Antoine Aveline. All three are pr...
Paper
Pair Of Hand Colored Engravings Of Parrots
Located in Essex, MA
Two framed hand colored stipple engravings of parrots by Jacques Barraband published 1801-05. In beautifully matted and gilded frames. From Judy Cormier. One print with some foxing.
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Edward Edwards R.A. Landscape Engraving, 1790
Located in Savannah, GA
Edward Edwards R.A. (English, 1738-1806) landscape engraving, published 1790 Paper: 6 by 4 ½ inches frame: 9 ½ by 9 ¼ inches
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century Hand-Colored Engraving on a Paper, France
Located in Sofia, BG
Fine engraving of the peaceful landscape of Orcière in France with a few figures on the road. France, circa 1890.
Paper
$1,600 / set
H 20 in W 15 in D 1 in
18th Century Italian Framed Neoclassical Hercules Statues Engravings, Set of 3
Located in Dallas, TX
Add classical gravitas to your space with this elegant set of three antique engravings depicting views of ancient Hercules sculptures. Printed in Rome in the 18th century, each print...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
English Hand Colored Billiards Escene Engraving Print
Located in Barcelona, ES
An antique English hand colored framed print titled "Billiards" Gentlemen playing billiard scene. Designed and etched by E.F. Lambert, published by Thomas Mc Lean, 1827,Haymarket, Lo...
Wood, Paper, Glass
18th Century Framed Fashion Engraving
Located in Vista, CA
18th century framed fashion engraving of a woman dressed for entertaining or to be entertained, with a plume feather hat, a fancy bustle with gree...
Glass, Paper, Wood
Sold
H 16.34 in W 13.78 in D 0.99 in
12 ANTIQUE 1740 GEORGE EDWARDS HAND COLOURED ORNITHOLOGICAL ENGRAVINGS OF BIRDs
By George Edwards
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare suite of Twelve original 1740-1760 dated hand water coloured prints after George Edwards 169...
Paper
The Cock Padda or Rice-Bird by George Edwards, 1743-1751
By George Edwards
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Hand colored ornithological copper plate engraving titled "The Cock Padda or Rice-Bird" by George Edwards (1694-1773), printed on laid paper. This engraving is plate 41 from "A Natur...
Paper
Sterling Silver Candelabra - Pair Sheffield 1910
By George Edwards
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : A pair of two branch candelabra Date : Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1910 for George Edward & Sons - all four sconces, arms, and bases fully hallmarked RD 566338 Period : Edwa...
Silver
Sold
H 17.19 in W 14.25 in D 0.75 in
George Edwards Set of Twelve Parrot Engravings with Chinoiserie Frames
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards Set of Twelve Parrot Engravings with chinoiserie Frames, Natural History of Birds, Engraved by Georg Dionysius Ehret, Mid-18th cent...
Paper
George Edwards Prints of Parrots with Decoupage Frames
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards prints of parrots with decoupage frames, The engraver Georg Dionysius Ehret, Set of six, circa 1745-1750 The George Edwards engra...
Paper
18th Century George Edwards Engravings of a Woodpecker
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards engravings of a bird, Woodpecker, Picus Bengalensis, #82, 1745 A George Edwards hand-colored engraving of a Woodpecker in a d...
Paper
George Edwards Engravings of Birds, a Set of Six
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards engravings of birds- A set of Six The George Edwards engravings of six different birds in their natural environment are now mounted in a decoupage frame. Dimens...
Paper
George Edwards Prints of Parrots with Decoupage Frames
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards prints of parrots with decoupage frames, The Engraver Georg Dionysius Ehret, Circa 1745-50 The George Edwards engravings of twelve...
Paper
George Edwards Engravings of Birds, Set of Twelve, circa 1740-1760
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards engravings of birds, Set of twelve, circa 1740-1760. Twelve different bird engravings within handmade decoupage frames with original hand colouring. The follow...
Paper
Sold
H 30.32 in W 82.68 in D 49.61 in
Antique Victorian Pollard Oak Rollover Snooker or Dining Table 19th Century
By George Edwards
Located in London, GB
There is no mistaking the style and sophisticated design of this exquisite and rare English Victorian Pollard oak revolving (or rollover) snooker dining table...
Mahogany, Oak
Sold
H 30.32 in W 82.68 in D 49.61 in
Antique Victorian Pollard Oak Snooker / Dining Table and 8 Chairs 19th Century
By George Edwards
Located in London, GB
There is no mistaking the style and sophisticated design of this exquisite and rare English Victorian Pollard oak revolving (or rollover) snooker dining table...
Mahogany, Oak
Sold
H 16.38 in W 13.32 in D 1.13 in
George Edwards Set of Twelve Engravings of Birds, circa 1740-1760
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards Engravings of Birds, Set of Twelve, circa 1740-1760. from A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, and of some other Rare and Undescribed Animals, Quadrapeds, Repti...
Paper