18th Century and Earlier Prints

This engraving from Theodore de Bry's "Indiae Orientalis" showcases a serene yet intriguing scene titled "EFFIGIES ILLIUS ARBORIS, QUAM TRISTEM VOCANT,...

Large framed engraving titled "View of the town of Gray Franche-Comté" It bears the following notes: "is distributed in Paris by the author, in the hostel of the royal manufactur...

Antique print titled 'Jejenjeen'. Old print of the city of Heytamon, China. This print originates from 'Het gezantschap der Nee^rlandtsche Oost-Indische Compagnie, aan den grooten Ta...

Grand Master of the Order of St. Michael in Ceremonial Attire, 18th Century Engraving This hand-colored engraving depicts the Grand Master of the Order of St. Michael, adorned in ...

Antique print titled 'Prospect von der Bastion Perl (..) - Vue de la Bastion Perl (..)'. View of the Parel Bastion (Pearl Bastion) of Castle Batavia, present day Jakarta, Indonesia. ...

Antique print with views of the Nile, Egypt. Below near Damietta. Published by C. de Bruijn, circa 1700. Cornelis de Bruijn (also spelled Cornelius de Bruyn, pronounced (1652 – 17...

Small original antique print with two skulls. Source unknown, to be determined. Published circa 1790.

Antique print titled 'Lubecca, Lübeck'. A bird's eye view of Lubeck, the northern German city in Schleswig-Holstein. This print originates from 'Topographia Saxoniae Inferioris'. Ar...

Antique print titled 'Camino nella sala del Palazzo Barberino (..)'. Old print of a fireplace in the hall of Palazzo Barberino, Rome. This print originates from 'Studio d'architettur...

Antique print titled 'Slooten, Worcum, Ylst and Hindeloope'. Bird's eye views of Sloten, IJlst, Workum and Hindeloopen, Friesland, the Netherlands. This original antique print origin...

Antique print titled 'Tamarindus indica orientalis'. Botanical print of tamarind, a leguminous tree bearing edible fruit that is indigenous to tropical Africa and naturalized in Asia...

Antique print titled 'Vaisseaux chinois - Chineessche vaartuigen'. Original antique print of Chinese vessels. This print originates from 'Reize rondsom...

Antique print titled 'Paleis van den Paus in 't Vatikaan'. This print originates from 'Hedendaagsche historie van, en reis-boek door Italien'. Amst., M. de Bruyn, 1779.

Antique map titled ‘Tabula Nova Provinciae Ultrajectinae (..)’. Original antique map of the province of Utrecht, the Netherlands. It shows the region of Amsterdam, Utrecht, Gouda, ...

Antique print titled 'Fontaine Rouge No. 3 du Plan Général'. Copper engraving of a garden fountain. This print originates from 'Jardins Anglo-Chinois à la Mode' by Georg Louis le Rou...

Antique print titled 'Die innere Aussicht des Castells in Batavia (..) - Vue interieure du Pallais de Batavie (..)'. View of the inner courtyard of the castle at Batavia, Indonesia. ...

Knight of the Seraphim Order: Rare 18th-Century Engraving of Swedish Nobility This hand-colored engraving showcases a "Ritter des Seraphinen Ordens" (Knight of the Seraphim Order)...

Knight of the Order of Christ in Portugal Engraving by Christian F. Schwan This exquisite hand-colored engraving depicts a Knight of the Order of Christ in Portugal, resplendent in ...

John Parkinson was the last of the great English herbalists and one of the first of the great English botanists. Here the pair of prints show mosses and lichen and the other of ferns. From: Paradisi in sole Paradisus Terrestris: or a garden of all sorts of pleasant flowers...

Antique print titled 'Das Aussehen der Stadt und Vestung Coron von der Seit des Auffgang'. Copper engraving of Koroni (or Corone), Greece. This print originates from 'Ruhm-belorb...

Antique print titled ‘Palumbi Nidut et Ova'. This print depicts the nest and eggs of the common wood pigeon (Dutch: houtduif). The common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) is a large sp...

Original antique map titled 'Tab XII Asiae Taprobanam (..)'. For this map of Toprobana (Sri Lanka), Ptolemy drew on the accounts of travelers and sailors and though the information was secondhand and often inaccurate, it represented the most advanced account of the world's geography at that time. This map depicts the island with the typical misconceptions of the period with the enlarged island straddling the Equator and nearly divided by a ridge of mountains. A small part of India is incorrectly shown in the northeast corner of the map and a spurious coastline labeled Gangem fills the upper right corner. The stipple engraved sea contains an oriental ship...

This 1720 bird's-eye view of Jerusalem offers an intricate portrayal of the city during the early 18th century. Titled "Vue & Description de la Ville de Jerusalem Telle qu'elle est A...

Antique map titled 't Koninkryk Bohemen (..)'. Uncommon original antique map of the Kingdom of Bohemia. This map originates from 'Nieuwe Natuur- Geschied- en Handelkundige Zak- en Re...

Very decorative antique map of Chili published by W. Blaeu, 1658. This map depicts Chile from Copiapo southward to the island of Chiloé with ships and sea monsters adorning the sea. ...

Title: Last Supper Engraving – Luke XXII Institution of Lord’s Supper c.1735 Description: This dramatic antique engraving titled “Institution of the Lord’s Supper” illustrates the L...

Title: Christ Turns Water into Wine Engraving – John II Wedding at Cana c.1735 Description: This finely detailed antique engraving titled “Christ turneth water into wine” illustrate...

Title: Jesus Christ Engraving – John XIV I Am the Way c.1735 Description: This serene antique engraving titled “Our Saviour Jesus Christ” references St. John Chapter XIV, Verse 6, w...

Title: 1757 Engraving of Inuit & Indigenous Peoples – Hudson Bay & Arctic Canoe Scene Description: This rare 1757 antique copperplate engraving presents two fascinating scenes depicting Indigenous life in Arctic Canada, focusing on the Inuit and other First Nations communities in the Hudson Bay region. Originally published in *Histoire Générale des Voyages*, the engraving provides an invaluable visual record of daily life, survival techniques, and traditional dwellings. The top illustration, titled 'Un Esquimau dans son Canot', depicts an Inuit paddling a sleek, narrow kayak through choppy waters, showcasing the remarkable boat-making skills of the Arctic peoples. The kayak, designed for hunting and efficient travel, is shown in its traditional form, reflecting centuries of adaptation to harsh northern environments. The bottom illustration, 'Esquimaux du côté du Nord-Ouest de la Baie de Hudson', portrays a male and female Inuit figure standing near an igloo, a crucial form of temporary winter shelter. The man holds a bow and arrows, symbolizing subsistence hunting, while the woman carries a small child. In the background, additional Indigenous dwellings, including conical tipis, suggest the presence of other First Nations groups living near the Hudson Bay coastline. The detailed hatching and shading techniques used in the engraving bring out the textures of clothing, landscapes, and architectural features, making this a historically and artistically significant piece. As an early European representation of Arctic Indigenous culture, it holds great value for collectors of ethnographic art, Canadian history, and antique travel prints...

St. Matthias Apostle Engraving – Acts I Matthias Chosen c.1735 Description: This detailed antique engraving titled “St. Matthias the Apostle” illustrates Matthias, chosen to replace...

Title: Acts III Engraving – Peter & John Heal Lame Man at Temple c.1735 Description: This powerful antique engraving titled “Acts, Chap. III – The Lame Man healed by Peter & John” d...

Title: Acts XIII Engraving – Elymas the Sorcerer Struck Blind c.1735 Description: This dramatic antique engraving titled “Acts Chap. XIII – Elymas the Sorcerer struck with Blindness...

Antique print titled 'Don Fernando Alvares'. Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, 3rd Duke of Alba, GE, KOGF, GR (29 October 1507 – 11 December 1582), known as the Grand Duke of Alba in Spain and the Iron Duke in the Netherlands, was a Spanish noble...

Title: "The Economic Balancing Act: A Satirical View of 1780 Britain" This original etching and engraving, circa 1780, is a satirical commentary on the precarious state of the Briti...

Title: Die Ente mit dem Grauen Kopf - Hand-Colored Engraving of the Duck with a Grey Head by Johann Michael Seligmann, 18th Century This beautifully hand-colored engraving, titled...

Antique map titled 'Carte de la Tartarie Occidentale'. Map of Tartary and northeast Asia, from Lake Baykal, Partie du Siberia in the north, Pays des Kalkas at the center, as well as ...

Antique print titled 'Nidus Pelecani, Carbonis'. This print depicts the bird nest of the Great Black Cormorant (Dutch: nest van de aalscholver). The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), known as the great black cormorant across the Northern Hemisphere, the black cormorant in Australia, the large cormorant in India and the black shag further south...

Original antique map titled 'Carte du Canal des Iles Philippines (..) - Kaart van het Kanaal in de Filippynsche Eilanden (..)'. Striking and highly detailed chart of the Islands of the Philippines. Shows Islands, bays, reefs, soundings tracks of the Manila Galleon route, etc. Published 1724-1726 by Joannes van Braam...

This hand-colored engraving is attributed to Robert Benard (1734-1786) and originates from the *Encyclopédie Méthodique*, published around 1790. It showcases four different birds, de...

Antique print titled 'Gezicht der stadt en have van Ptoleamais in Fenicie.' Acre is a city in the Western Galilee region of northern Israel at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. Ac...

Antique print titled 'Scheeps-Kranen'. View of the ship cranes of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This print originates from 'Beschryvinge van Amsterdam (..)' by C. Commelin. Artists ...

Pharoah was warned that the tenth and final plague would be the most devastating. God told the Hebrews to sacrifice lambs and eat the meat before morning, but not before they used th...

Antique print, titled: 'Tabula Comitatus Hollandiae in Praefecturas sua distributa; cui adjuncta est Provinc. Ultraiectina et maxima pars Geldriae summo studio delin. Et aeri incidit...

Antique print titled 'Hottentotten aan Caap der Goede Hoope'. Print depicting the Khoikhoi of Cape of Good Hope, Africa. Including two text pages. This print originates from 'Oud en ...

Antique map titled 'England and Wales from the best Authorities'. Original antique map of England and Wales, with decorative cartouche. Engraved by T. Conder. Published circa 1790.

This print originates from ‘Biblia Sacra, dat is, de H. Schriftuer van het Oude, en het Nieuwe Testament, naer de laetste Roomsche keure der gemeine Latijnsche overzettinge, in neder...

Description: Antique print titled 'Eauweck, Hooft Stad van Cambodia'. Decorative panoramic view of the town of Longvek (or Lavek) in Cambodia. It was the second capital city during t...

Antique map titled 'Tabula Castelli ad Sandflitam (..)'. This map depicts the complex military situation that had developed after the Dutch blockade of Antwerp. All entrenchment'...

Plate 173: 'Tiberias.' This plate shows a panoramic view of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, Israel. This scarse plate originates from: 'Voyage au Levant...

Antique print titled 'Parus, Biarmicus'. This print depicts a male and female bearded reedling (Dutch: Baardmannetje). The bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus) is a small, sexually d...

Title: Portrait of Abraham Ortelius Engraved by Philippe Galle, first published in 1579, featured in the *Theatrum Orbis Terrarum*. Description: This is a meticulously detailed portrait of Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598), the renowned Flemish cartographer, geographer, and creator of the first modern atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. This copperplate engraving, crafted by the master engraver Philippe Galle (1537–1612), was first published in the 1579 edition of Ortelius’s groundbreaking work. The image presents a bust-length profile of Ortelius facing to the left, emphasizing his austere yet intellectual presence. He is depicted wearing formal attire typical of the late Renaissance period, including a richly textured doublet with a fur-lined collar and a finely detailed ruff around his neck. His aged, yet determined face, with a pointed beard and furrowed brow, symbolizes his deep dedication to the study of geography and cartography. Surrounding the portrait is an elaborate architectural and floral frame, characteristic of late 16th-century Mannerist designs, which conveys a sense of both intellectual grandeur and artistic sophistication. At the top of the frame is a "Chi Rho" symbol, representing Christ, and emphasizing the religious underpinnings of Ortelius's worldview. The Latin inscription below the portrait reads: "Spectandum dedit Ortelius mortalib. orbem, Orbi spectandum Galleus Ortelium" ("Ortelius gave the world to be seen by mortals, Galleus gave Ortelius to be seen by the world.") This suggests the lasting legacy of Ortelius’s work in mapping the known world and how Galle, through his engraving, immortalized Ortelius himself. About the Engraver: Philippe Galle (1537–1612) was a prominent Flemish engraver and publisher, known for his precision and technical skill in copperplate engraving. Galle often worked with leading figures of his time, producing prints that highlighted important cultural, intellectual, and political figures. His engraving technique involved etching intricate lines and textures onto a copperplate, which would then be inked and pressed onto paper to produce highly detailed prints. His collaboration with Ortelius on this project further solidified his reputation as a master engraver. Why Ortelius was Important: Abraham Ortelius is celebrated as one of the founders of modern cartography. His atlas, *Theatrum Orbis Terrarum* (Theatre of the World), published in 1570, was the first to gather a comprehensive collection of maps into a single, standardized volume. This work marked a turning point in the history of geography by establishing a modern understanding of world mapping. Ortelius also significantly contributed to geographic knowledge by incorporating information from various cartographers, which helped to unify mapmaking practices across Europe. Ortelius's work not only aided navigators and explorers but also influenced scholars and rulers in their understanding of the world. His reputation extended well beyond his home in Antwerp, making him one of the most respected intellectuals of his time. Keywords: Abraham Ortelius portrait, Philippe Galle engraving, 1579 Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Renaissance cartography, Ortelius atlas, historical cartographer portrait, copperplate engraving, Mannerist engravings...

This map is titled "Map of Kerguelen’s Land, called by Cook Island of Desolation." It represents the geographic layout of Kerguelen Island, also known as the Island of Desolation, lo...

Antique battle map of Caesar's Camp. With detailed legend explaining the various elements of the print. This print most likely originates from an edition of 'The Commentaries of Caesar, Translated into English. To Which is Prefixed a Discourse Concerning The Roman Art of War...

Antique print, titled: 'A Negro Pedler with his wife.' - This plate shows a black skinned peddler and his wife, Indonesia. It originally accompanied J. Nieuhof's account of his 'Voya...

This beautifully preserved hand-tinted mezzotint of William Innes and caddy, engraved by Valentine Green, from the painting by Lemuel Francis Abbott showcases the original masters of...

Regal Engraving of a Knight of the Order of St. Michael, France, 18th Century Description: This exquisite hand-colored engraving depicts a Knight of the Order of St. Michael (Ritter...

Artist: Cornelis de Bruijn (or de Bruyn); 1652 – 1726/7 was a Dutch artist and traveler. He made two large tours and published illustrated books with his observations of people, buil...

Optica View The Hague Prinsegracht, Basset c.1770 Hand-Colored Engraving This is a beautifully engraved and hand-colored optical print titled *Vue perspective du Chateau du Prince G...

Optica View The Hague Canal & Cannon Foundry, Basset c.1770 This is a finely engraved and hand-colored optical print titled *Vue du Canal et de l’Hotel de Fonderie de Canon a la Hay...

Optica View The Hague Nieuwe Voorhout from the Bos, c.1770 This is a finely engraved and hand-colored optical print titled 'Gesicht van het Nieuwe Voorhout komende uyt het Bosch. Vu...