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
Mark Catesby, The Corn Snake with Bahaman Orchid, Plate 55, 18th C Engraving
By Mark Catesby, George Edwards
Located in Atlanta, GA
An eighteenth-century hand-colored copperplate engraving depicting The Corn Snake with Bahaman Orchid, plate LV (55), from the imagery of Mark Catesby’s The Natural History of Caroli...
Paper
Mark Catesby, The Small Rattle-Snake, Plate 42 - 18th C 'Vipera Caudisona Minor'
By Mark Catesby, George Edwards
Located in Atlanta, GA
An eighteenth-century hand-colored copperplate engraving by Mark Catesby (1683–1749), 'The Small Rattle-Snake (Vipera caudisona minor)', plate 42 from volume II of 'The Natural Hist...
Giltwood, Paper
Antique American Nautical Sailboat Hand Colored Engraving
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A hand colored copper engraving print of an American steamship published by President Ackermann & Co, London, 1840 in a later frame under glass.
Glass, Wood, 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
$34,163 / set
H 10.63 in W 8.27 in D 0.79 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
Seven European engravings - 18th century
Located in Porto, PT
Seven European engravings - 18th century. Set of seven engravings on paper; European, from the 18th century. Framed. Damp stains. Dimensions: 62x44 cm.
Paper
Hand Colored Copperplate Engraving of Copenhagen, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Hand-colored copperplate engraving depicting an interesting old view of Copenhagen seen from Frederiksberg Castle Gardens, approximate. 1790-1800. Framed in a mahogany frame from sam...
Glass, Mahogany, 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
$500
H 12.5 in W 19 in D 0.5 in
Late 18th to Early 19th Century Vue d'Optique of the Place de Louis XV
Located in South Paris, ME
Very sweet vue d’optique engraving of the Place de Louis XV in its original frame. Hand colored. Late 18th or early 19th century. Vue d’optiques were reverse typed and viewed through...
Hardwood, Paper
18th Century Framed Engravings by Mark Catesby, Set of Four Birds
By Mark Catesby
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mark Catesby (British, 1683-1749) Framed Engravings, Set of Four Birds. These 18th Century engravings originated from Catesby's publication, 'The Natural History of Carolina, Florida...
Paper
$9,000 / set
H 18 in W 24 in D 1 in
18th Century Framed Engravings by Mark Catesby, Set of Nine Natural History Art
By Mark Catesby
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mark Catesby (British, 1683-1749) Framed Engravings, Set of Nine. These 18th Century engravings originated from Catesby's publication, 'The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and ...
Paper
18th Century Pair of English Engravings
Located in Dallas, TX
Superb pair of 18th century English engravings.
Rare Engraving by William Home Lizars Circa 1826 Hand Colored
By William Home Lizars
Located in Hudson, NY
[VASCULAR] Lymphatic nodes and vessels of the leg. Rare, circa 1826, first edition anatomical engraving by William Home Lizars (1788-1859) the talented Edinburgh artist and head of...
Paper
$875
H 20 in W 23.63 in D 0.07 in
Hand-Colored 18th Century Homann Map of the Black Sea, Turkey and Asia Minor
By Johann Baptist Homann
Located in Alamo, CA
An attractive original early 18th century hand-colored map of the Black Sea and Turkey entitled "Carte de L'Asie Minevre ou de la Natolie et du Pont Evxin Tiree des Voyages et des Ob...
Paper
Sold
H 16.5 in W 13.63 in D 1.13 in
!8th-century Engraved Prints of Exotic Birds by George Edwards (12)
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
A Cabinet of Curiosities: Set of Twelve George Edwards Exotic Birds Engravings, Dated 1744–1761 This extraordinary suite of twelve framed artworks features original, hand-colored en...
Paper
!8th-century Engraved Prints of Parrots by George Edwards
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
A Cabinet of Curiosities: Set of Twelve George Edwards Parrot Engraving, Dated circa 1744–1745 This extraordinary suite of twelve framed artworks features original, hand-colored eng...
Paper
The Cock Padda or Rice-Bird by George Edwards, 1743-1751
By George Edwards
Located in Chicago, 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
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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
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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
George Edwards Set of Twelve Bird Engravings, circa 1740
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards set of twelve bird engravings, within modern decoupage frames, from a natural history of uncommon birds, circa 1740. Dimensions: 16 3/8 inches high x 13 5/8 inch...
Paper
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H 16.38 in W 13.32 in D 1.13 in
George Edwards Hand-Colored Set of 12 Engravings of Parrots, 1743-1764
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards hand-colored set of 12 engravings of parrots, Natural history studies of birds. From a natural history of uncommon birds, and o...
Paper