18th Century and Earlier Prints

This rare and exquisite view depicts the strategic Dardanelles strait, the narrow passage between the Aegean and the Sea of Marmara with the distant cityscape of Istanbul. Part of th...

An antique engraving depicting a dance scene titled "An Exact Representation of a Dance in Otaheite," Otaheite being an archaic name for Tahiti in French Polynesia. This engraving would have been created as a part of a series to document the culture and life of the Tahitian people, likely observed by European explorers during one of the many voyages to the South Pacific in the 18th century. In the foreground, there are central figures engaged in a dance, wearing traditional Polynesian attire, which includes wraps around their waists and adornments that seem to represent status or a part of the dance costume. They are holding what appear to be fans, which may be part of the traditional dance. The dancers' poses suggest movement and a performance aspect to the scene. Behind the dancers, we can see a group of musicians providing the accompaniment, playing drums, which indicates the importance of music and rhythm in the dance. To the right, there is an audience of seated individuals, likely members of the community, watching the performance. The background of the scene includes thatched huts and a lush landscape with palm trees, depicting a typical village setting in Tahiti. The checkerboard pattern on the ground where the dance takes place is notable, as it adds a sense of structure to the scene. This image would have been intended for a European audience unfamiliar with Tahitian culture and would have served as a visual record of the encounters between European explorers and the peoples of the Pacific Islands. The engraving you've uploaded, titled "An Exact Representation of a Dance in Otaheite," is likely from a work documenting the voyages of Captain James Cook, given the style and subject matter. Captain Cook made three voyages to the Pacific Ocean during the 18th century, and his encounters with the peoples of the Pacific, including those of Tahiti (Otaheite), were extensively recorded and published. The engravings from Cook's voyages were made by artists who accompanied him, such as John Webber on his third voyage, or were based on sketches made by other crew members. These images were then published in the official accounts of the voyages. The most notable of these accounts is "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean" undertaken during Cook's third voyage from 1776 to 1780, which was published in the years following his death in 1779. Another possible source for this engraving could be from the accounts of Joseph Banks. Banks was a naturalist who joined Cook on his first voyage (1768-1771) aboard the HMS Endeavour and was responsible for extensive collections and descriptions of Pacific cultures. His collections and later works also included illustrations and engravings of the scenes and peoples encountered. Given that the engraving is labeled as "London Published as the Act directs by Alexr. Hogg at the Kings Arms...

This antique engraving with the caption "Habitations and People of the Island of Atooi," which is an old name for Kauai, part of the Hawaiian Islands. The engraving is captioned to have been engraved for "Bankes's New System of Geography Published by Royal Authority." The scene is rich with cultural and ethnographic details. It shows several indigenous Hawaiian people engaged in various activities in front of thatched houses...

Plate V: 'Chirurgie'. (Surgery.) This plate shows medical instruments relating to surgery of the esophagus. This print originates from 'Encyclopédi...

Set of 2 antique horse riding prints. Published circa 1680.

Antique print Ambon titled 'Anabon'. Antique print of the island of Ambon, Indonesia. Source unknown, to be determined. Artists and Engravers: Anonymous. Condition: Good, gener...

Antique portrait titled 'John Pym Esqr.'. Old print of John Pym, an English politician, who helped establish the foundations of Parliamentary democracy. One of the Five Members whose...

This antique engraving titled "The Inhabitants of New Caledonia" appears to be from the accounts of Captain James Cook's travels. The image depicts a scene from New Caledonia, an arc...

Antique print titled 'Vases, Bijoux et Ustenciles trouvés dans les Tombeaux'. Copper engraving of vases, jewellery and tools found in Krasnoyarsk megaliths. This print originates fro...

Set of seven antique prints of various personifications including: 1) Plate XIII: Personification of Religion, section of a fresco from the Anticamera del Concilio, Caprarola; a f...

The engraving provided is titled "The Rejoicings of the Mexicans, at the beginning of the Age." It was included in Portlock’s "New Collection of Voyages and Travels," published in 17...

Book title is written on stone tablet in center, on which an angel blows a trumpet, at right a woman representing Judaism and holding there Law, allegorical scenes showing the Vices ...

Antique print, titled: 'Hasselt.' Bird's-eye view plan of Hasselt in The Netherlands. With key to locations and coats of arms. Text in Dutch on verso. This plan originates from the famous city Atlas: 'Toneel der Steeden' published by Joan Blaeu...

Antique print titled 'Section of a New Garden Room at Hall Barn (..)'. Plan of the garden room for Hall Barn, near Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. This print originates from 'Vitruvius Britannicus...

The prints by Neufforge depict designs for entrances. The French term "hôtel" in the 18th century referred not to a hotel as we understand it today (a place where travelers pay for l...

Antique print titled 'Table des differentes Langues de la Mer du Sud comparées avec celles des différentes Nations situées à l'Ouest de ces Isles'. Old print with a table of the diff...

Original antique botany print of the Broad Leaved Shrubby Germander. This print originates from 'The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed (..)' by William Curtis. Published...

Antique print titled 'Prospectus Collegiorum Imperialium et Fundorum Orientalium Mercatorum Petersburgi - Vista de los Collegios Imperiales, Y de l'Almazen de las Mercaderias Orientales a Petersbourg'. The Imperial Colleges in St. Petersburg on the left and the merchant warehouses on the right. Magnificent view of downtown St. Petersburg, shows the so-called Twelve Colleges, originally built by Peter the Great...

Antique portrait titled 'Arrius Alexandrinus'. Portrait of Arius. Arius was a Christian presbyter in Alexandria, Egypt of Libyan origins. His teachings about the nature of the Godhea...

Antique anatomy print of the endocrine system showing kidneys, the uterus and more. This print originates from 'De Ontleedkundige Plaaten van B. Eustachius' published by J.B. Elw...

Description: Antique print, titled: 'Reba, Koning der Arabieren (…)' - This plate shows Reba, the King of Arab people. Reba was one of five Midianite kings killed during the ...

Antique print titled 'Isoletta Desima abittata Dagli Olandesi nel Giappone secondo la delineazione del Sigr. Voogt'. Bird's-eye view of Deshima (or Dejima) copied from a manuscript b...

One sheet with two engravings: One print is titled: 'Siccabonsii, Japansche Papen. [verso: Japanese soldiers].' An image of a Japanese priest. In one hand hee holds a long rope with a thick knot in it. In the other he holds aloft a copper gong...

The ancient city of Saint Malo in North Western France has long been associated with adventure on the high seas, piracy and exploration. It was the birthplace of several important in...

Set of 2 antique entomology prints depicting various butterflies. These prints originate from 'De Uitlandsche Kapellen voorkomende in de Drie...

Antique print titled 'Passaden - Les Passades'. This print originates from 'Neue Reit-Kunst' by J.E. Ridinger.

Set of 2 antique entomology prints depicting various butterflies. These prints originate from 'De Uitlandsche Kapellen voorkomende in de Drie...

Antique portrait titled 'Le Moufti, ou Chef de la Loy'. Old print of the Mufti or Chief of the Law. A mufti is a Sunni Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islam...

Antique print titled 'Willem van Braam, Schout by Nacht van Holland en Westvriesland'. Portrait of Willem van Braam, standing near a canon. In the background...

Antique print titled 'Habillemens des Groenlandois'. Copper engraving of natives of Greenland. This print originates from volume 19 of 'Histoire generale des voyages (..)' by Antoine...

Antique map titled 'Indes IVe Feuille'. Very decorative original antique map of the East Indies. Covbers from the Gulf of Siam (Gulf of Thailand) and Malacca (Malaysia) eastward to i...

Antique print titled 'A new carriage for a Fire Engine'. Three views of a new fire engine carriage design by William Stanes that enabled the quick movement of firefighting equipment. This print originates from 'The Universal Magazine...

Old Dutch engraving with title: 'Romeinsche Reis Kaart van K. Peutinger'. Rare antique map based on the original 'Peutinger' map, the map has the shape of papyrus scrolls. Originat...

Antique print titled 'Mausolee'. A vue d'optique of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Halicarnassus also spelled Halikarnassos, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The monument was ...

Antique print, titled: 'Euphorbium verum Antiquorum' - This original old antique print shows the true euphorbium. Source unknown, to be determined. The True Euphorbium; Euphorbium verum Antiquorum London: John Nourse, 1737. Botanical print. Copper engraving with hand coloring. In very good condition. Illustration of the true Euphorbium; plate 339 from "A Curious Herbal" which depicts exotic plants from the New World used for medicinal purposes.The cactus-like perennial plant is indigenous to Morocco. Elizabeth Blackwell (1707-1758) was trained as an artist but untrained in botany. She collaborated with her botanist husband while he was in debtor's prison and with the curator of the Chelsea Physick Garden where the plants were under cultivation. She engraved the copper printing plates...

Antique print titled 'Jardin du Tillet'. Copper engraving showing the garden of Hôtel du Tillet de la Bussière. Hôtel du Tillet de la Bussière is a historic hôtel particulier in ...

Untitled print of various fish species from Indonesia. This print originates from 'Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën' by F. Valentijn.

Neoclassical Etching of three ancient Roman urn on pedestal, two oil lamps and a vase by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) originally publis...

Antique map titled 'Prussiae Nova Tabula'. Rare early edition of Blaeu's map of Prussia, embellished with a gorgeous large format cartouche, compass ros...

Antique map titled 'Carte des Bras du Jenisei (..)'. Map of the Yenisei River and surroundings, Siberia. This print originates from volume 18 of 'Histoire generale des voyages (..)' ...

Antique map titled 'De Gelegentheyt van 't Paradys en 't Landt Canaan'. Dutch Bible map covering the region between the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf, ...

Antique portrait titled 'Matthias I (..)'. Portrait of Matthias I of Hungary. This print originates from 'Tooneel der keyseren ende coningen van christenryck sedert den onderganck va...

Figure 10 of first part: The French king Louis XIII (aged sixteen) standing at left, with Messieurs de Pluvinel and le Grand, a horse tethered b...

Antique print, titled: 'Vue de l'Eglise de St. Jean de Latran a Rome.' - View of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, Italy. This is an optical print, also called 'vue optiq...

Antique print titled 'La Vraije Methode pour les passades'. Original old print of the Duke of Newcastle enacting half turns, canters and pirouettes o...

Description: Antique print, titled: 'CXLVI. Virgo Neapolitana in Italia' - This rare early plate shows a virgin woman from Naples, Italy in 16th century costume. From: 'Habitus praec...

Antique print titled 'Mogolsche gezant'. Old print depicting a Moghul Embassy. This print originates from 'Het gezantschap der Neêrlandtsche Oost-Indische Compagnie, aan den grooten...

On offer two superb and large aquatints (with original hand color) depicting the “Explosion on, and Sinking of Her Majesty’s Ship BOYNE” Plate 1. “View of His Majesty's Ship Boyne...

Antique portrait titled 'Thomas Wentworth Earl of Strafford'. Old print of Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (1593-1641)was a powerful statesman. He initially supported Parliam...

Antique print titled 'Vue de la Haye en Hollande - Prospect von Gravenhag in Holland'. Beautiful view of The Hague, the Netherlands. This is an optical print, also called 'vue optiqu...

Antique print titled 'Sultan Hibraim I (..)'. Portrait of Ottoman sultan Ibrahim I, bust-length directed to left; in oval. Published by Balthasar Moncornet, circa 1660. Balthasar ...

Antique print titled 'De Stad Montfoort'. View on the city of Montfoort, the Netherlands. Artists and Engravers: Engraved by H. Spilman. Condition: Good, general age-related to...

Antique bird print titled 'Pavone della China maschio - Pavo Sinensis mas'. Beautiful copper engraving of a peacock. This print originates from 'Storia naturale degli Uccelli' by Sav...

Antique portrait titled 'Frederick Duke of Schonberg'. Old print of Friedrich Herman, 1st Duke of Schomberg, in profile to right looking at viewer over his right shoulder wearing armour and a long wig...

Antique print titled ‘Platalea, Leucorodia'. This print depicts the spoonbill (Dutch: lepelaar). The Eurasian spoonbill or common spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) is a wading bird of ...

Antique print religion titled 'Formauit Dominus Deus Hominem de Limo Terrae (..)'. This print depicts Creation of Man. Originates from 'Frescoes in the...

Antique print titled 'Plan du Fort Anglois de Dickscove - Grondtékening van 't Engelsch-Fort Dixkove op de kust van Guinée'. Plan of fort Metal Cross or Dixcove, Ghana. This print or...

Antique portrait titled 'George Lord Digby Earl of Bristol'. George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol, KG (bapt. 5 November 1612 – 20 March 1677) was an English politician who as Lord Digby...