18th Century Prints

Pair of 18th century Italian architectural etchings of churches in Rome by Guiseppe Vasi (1710-1782) from "Raccolta Delle Più Belle Veduta Antiche...

Wonderful set of 12 botanical prints. A beautiful colour of off-white/cream to the paper. Dated 1791 Originally from " Flora Londinensis " published by William Curtis Copper-pla...

"Vibrant Indian Cress Engraving - Icones Plantarum Medicinalium, 1788" This striking hand-colored engraving from Joseph Jakob Plenck's "Icones Plantarum Medicinalium" depicts the In...

The engraving titled "Pantheon nunc vulgo la Rotunda" is attributed to the publishing efforts of Joan Blaeu and was part of a series published around the ea...

Description: Antique map titled'Theatrum Historicum pars Orientalis.' Finely engraved historical map with a profusion of details. It shows the Middle East and Asia. Decorative ti...

This is an authentic engraved portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary was one of the most fascinating and tragic figures in Scottish and English history. She became queen consort in...

Antique print titled 'Vue Generale Perspective de l'Hôtel Royal des Invalides'. Bird's-eye view of Hôtel National des Invalides, Paris, France. Published, circa 1760.

Original hand-colored antique bird print showing an American Kingfisher from the book "A Natural History of Uncommon Birds" (1743-1751) by George Edwards. This hand-colored engraving showcases the bird perched on a branch, holding a fish in its beak. The kingfisher is characterized by its distinctive plumage, with a slate-blue back and wings, a speckled tail, and a prominent crest on its head. Its body is white underneath with some pinkish hues near the breast. The bird's sharp beak is shown spearing a fish, emphasizing its hunting prowess. The surrounding environment includes a simple background with water and vegetation, highlighting the bird's natural habitat. This illustration is part of an increasingly rare and treasured collection of natural history artwork from the 18th century. George Edwards (1694–1773) was an English naturalist and ornithologist who is often referred to as the "father of British ornithology." His most famous work, "A Natural History of Uncommon Birds" (1743-1751), and its continuation "Gleanings of Natural History" (1758-1764), contain detailed illustrations and descriptions of many bird species, many of which were little known or newly discovered at the time. Edwards' work is highly regarded for its accuracy, artistry, and contribution to the field of ornithology. About George Edwards: 1. **Early Life and Career**: - Born in Stratford, Essex, Edwards was apprenticed to a tradesman in London. However, he developed an interest in natural history and began studying birds, insects, and other animals. - He spent some time traveling in Europe, studying various collections of natural history specimens. 2. **Publications**: - **"A Natural History of Uncommon Birds" (1743-1751)**: This work is a collection of 210 hand-colored engravings of birds. It is known for its meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in depicting bird species. - **"Gleanings of Natural History" (1758-1764)**: This series continued the work started in "A Natural History of Uncommon Birds" and included additional birds as well as other animals. - His publications also included detailed observations and descriptions, making them valuable not only for their artistic merit but also for their scientific content. 3. **Artistic and Scientific Contributions**: - Edwards was known for his ability to combine artistic skill with scientific precision. His illustrations often depicted birds in lifelike poses and settings, showing their natural behaviors. - He collaborated with and was influenced by other naturalists and illustrators of his time, such as Carl Linnaeus and Mark Catesby. - Edwards' works were used by Linnaeus in the development of his system of taxonomy. 4. **Legacy**: - George Edwards' contributions to ornithology and natural history have had a lasting impact. His detailed and accurate illustrations helped to advance the study of birds and influenced subsequent generations of naturalists and artists. - His books remain highly prized by collectors and are considered important historical documents in the field of natural history. ### "A Natural History of Uncommon Birds" and Its Importance: - **Illustrations**: Each illustration in Edwards' work was carefully hand-colored, and the engravings were often accompanied by descriptive text that included observations about the birds' habitats, behaviors, and physical characteristics. - **Scientific Accuracy**: Edwards took great care to ensure the accuracy of his depictions, often working from specimens he had observed firsthand. - **Influence**: The work was well-received in its time and remains a significant reference for ornithologists and historians. It contributed to a greater understanding and appreciation of bird species from around the world. Overall, George Edwards' work represents a critical intersection of art and science during the Enlightenment period, capturing the beauty and diversity of the natural world while contributing to the scientific knowledge of his time. ------------- The bird depicted is a Belted Kingfisher...

The illustration features the species labeled as "Physeter microcephalus Linn.," historically referred to with this name but now known commonly as the sperm whale. This depiction, given its accuracy and detail, was likely part of an educational or scientific series aimed at documenting various marine species. Description of the Illustration The sperm whale is depicted with notable attention to its distinct body shape and features, such as the large, block-shaped head which is characteristic of the species. The coloration is muted, reflecting the typical dark grey to black hues of the sperm whale. The background includes a detailed portrayal of a rocky underwater seascape with algae and other marine plants, suggesting the deep ocean habitats where these whales are typically found. The surface and spray around the whale add a dynamic element, capturing the moment of the whale at or near the surface. This hand-colored engraving combines precise line work with subtle coloring, a technique that enhances the scientific utility of the piece while also providing aesthetic appeal. Description: Venture into the mysterious world of the deep sea with this striking 18th to 19th-century illustration of the sperm whale, historically referred to as Physeter microcephalus. This piece is from the distinguished series "Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur, mit Beschreibungen," known for its precise and detailed natural history illustrations. This entry aims to highlight the illustration's value as a work of art and a piece of scientific heritage, appealing to a broad audience interested in natural history, marine biology, and antique scientific illustrations...

Antique map titled 'Naauwkeurige Kaart van 'T Keizerryk Japan (..).' Attractive detailed map of Japan. With scale and compass rose. This map originates from 'Hedendaegsche historie...

Set of 3 antique entomology prints depicting various butterflies. These prints originate from 'De Uitlandsche Kapellen voorkomende in de Drie...

The print is a detailed 18th-century engraving depicting the ruins of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria. It is titled "Ruins of Palmyra" and was published by Harrison & Co in the ...

"Architectural Elegance: Neoclassical Facades and Floor Plans from 'Recueil Élémentaire d’Architecture' by Jean-Francois de Neufforge" offers a captivating glimpse into the rich heri...

The collage of original antique engravings a compilation of three prints from the "Encyclopédie" by Diderot and d'Alembert. Each print showcases various furnishings and decorative elements relating to beds and upholstery from the 18th century. The collection presents a visual guide to the design and craftsmanship of the period. In the first print, we see two types of beds with canopies, known as "Lit à colonnes" and "Lit à la Duchesse," accompanied by different fabric patterns that might be used for the bed drapery or other upholstery within a room. The second print continues with illustrations of beds, including "Lit à double tombeau" and "Lit à tombeau simple," a camp bed or "Lit de camp à l'Angloise," as well as a folding screen ("Paravent"), a fire screen ("Ecran"), and a type of swing door ("Porte-Batante"). The third print features a more elaborate "Lit à la Polonaise...

This image is an antique colored etching from a botanical work by J.W. Weinmann, titled "Duidelyke vertoning eeniger duizend in alle vier waerelds deelen wassende bomen, stammen, kru...

Antique map titled 'Carte de la Champagne et des Pays Voisins (..)'. Detailed map of Champagne and surrounding regions of Chalons and Soissons, Reims,...

Antique map titled 'Africae Pars Borealis.' Very decorative antique map of the northern part of Africa by Heinrich Scherer. The map is full of the spurious geography of the perio...

Antique print titled 'De Wester-Kerk van binnen, naar 't Oosten, te zien. This print depicts a church interior in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This print originates from ' Amsterdam, ...

Antique print titled 'Les Pyramides de l'Egypte'. A vue d'optique of the pyramids of Egypt, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This is an optical print, also called 'vue optiq...

This captivating antique print, titled 'The Satier, Sauage, Wild-man, Orang-autang, Chimp-anzee', is a meticulously detailed zoological study of an orangutan from the renowned work "...

Antique portrait titled 'Louis Seize, Roi de France et de Navarre'. Old portrait of Louis XVI , King of France. Source unknown, to bet determined. Ar...

Pair of 18th century hand-colored engravings, with Greek warriors, from Lord Hamilton's folio, "Antiquités Etrusques, Grecques et Romaines", (1766-1776). This is a really nice pair,...

Description: Antique map titled 'Erster Abriss der Stadt Jerusalem wie sie Furnemblich zur Zeit des Hernn Christi beschaffen (..).' Spectacular town plan...

Antique print titled 'Motacilla, Luscinia'. The common nightingale or simply nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), also known as rufous nightingale, is a small passerine bird best kno...

Antique map titled 'De Zuid Pool, waar in aangetoont werd alle de Nieuwe Landen (..)'. Original antique map of the South Pole including two small inset maps...

This rooster printing is a work signed by French designer Jean Lurçat. Circa 1970.

Plate XII: 'Chirurgie'. (Surgery.) This plate shows a sick man and child to be operated on. This print originates from 'Encyclopédie (..)' by D. Diderot. Published, circa 1760.

Antique Illustrations of Colorful Insects: Hand-Colored Engravings from the 18th and 19th Century This exquisite pair of antique prints showcases vibrant depictions of colorful inse...

Antique print, titled: 'Le Pape va en ceremonie prendre possession du pontificat (…)' - This very large original antique print shows the procession for the Papal inauguration in the ...

Two religious images on one sheet titled 'Kopere Zee in den Tempel van Salomon' and 'Doorsnede van de Kopere Zee des Tempels van Salomon'. The 'Brazen Sea' in Solomon's Temple an...

Title: 18th-Century Hand-Colored Entomological Plate – Moth Life Stages and Caterpillars Description: This beautifully detailed 18th-century hand-colored engraving presents a fasc...

Antique map titled 'Karte von dem groessten Theil des Landes Jemen'. Original map of Yemen, this map is the first printed map specifically of Yemen, and t...

Antique map Switzerland titled 'Territorium Reipublicae liberae Helveticae Scaphusiensis (..)'. Regional map of Switzerland. Artists and En...

Antique print titled 'Keysers hof te Iedo. / Le Palais Imperial de Iedo.' View of the Imperial Palace in Edo / Tokyo, Japan. Extremely rare in this edition. This plate originates fro...

Untitled print, Section IV, plate IV. This chromolithograph depicts a beautiful Japanese box. Detailed information about this print is available on request. This print originates ...

Antique bird print titled 'L'Ara Vert'. Old bird engraving of a green macaw. This print originates from 'Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière, avec la description du Cabinet ...

18th century hand-colored engraving, with and unusual dynamic scene of a goddess riding a chariot pulled by two horses fighting off an attack by two griffins. With a heart-form in wh...

Antique map titled 'France - Païs-Bas'. Miniature Map of France and the Low Countries. Published by A.M. Mallet, circa 1719. Frame included. We carefully pack our framed items to ...

Set of etchings of views of a Greek ceremonial klismos chair. In his fifties, G.B. Piranesi was interested in archaeology and studied in Southern Ita...

Title: Schetziges Amerikanisches Kriechentlein - Hand-Colored Engraving of the American Variegated Teal by Johann Michael Seligmann, 18th Century This beautifully hand-colored eng...

Antique print titled 'Scolopax, Rusticola'. This print depicts the Eurasian Woodcock with egg (Dutch: Houtsnip). The Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rust...

Antique print titled 'De Meerman van 't Noorder Gewest als Opper Directeur der zee-plaat verkruyers van het verkeerde Pampus beslaande de Achterhoede van het Papiere Actie-Schouburgs...

Antique map titled 'Carte de Tartarie'. Detailed map of Tartary, consisting of the Eastern part of Russia, Central Asia, China and Korea, first published by Guillaume De L'Isle in 1706. The map extends from the Peninsula of Korea in the east to the Caspian and Black Seas. The Great Wall of China...

Neoclassical Etching of a architectural cornice and a Corithian capital by Francesco Piranesi (Italian, 1758 - 1810). Architectural Etching on paper...

Antique map titled 'Carte de la tartarie occidentale'. An interesting map of Tartary and northeast Asia, from Lake Baykal, Partie du Siberia in the north, Pays des Kalkas at the cent...

Description: Antique map titled 'Kaart van het Zuidelykste Gedeelte van Zuider Amerika (..) - Carte de la Partie Meridionale de l'Amerique Meridionale (..)'. Detailed chart tracking the route of Capt. George Anson's ship The Centurion in 1745. The chart shows the tracks of Anson's ships around South America & Cape Horn to the Juan Fernandes Islands, with notes on currents and positions. In 1740 Capt. George Anson (1697-1762) of the Royal Navy, was given command of a squadron of ships. As England was at war with France and Spain, Anson's task was to intercept and capture a Spanish treasure...

Title: Der Gefiederte Afrikanische Kranich - Hand-Colored Engraving of the Crested African Crane by Johann Michael Seligmann, 18th Century This captivating hand-colored engraving, t...

Antique print titled 'The Elevation of Melvin House in the Shire of Fyfe (..)'. Old engraving of Melville House in Fife, Scotland. This print originates from 'Vitruvius Britannic...

Antique map titled 'Nieuwe Kaart van de Noord Pool na de alderlaatste ondekking int licht gebracht'. Map of the Northern Hemisphere and North Pole, which shows the NE Passage, but no...

Antique portrait titled 'Christoffel van Swol, Gouverneur Generaal van Nederlands Indiën'. Old portrait of Christoffel van Swoll, Governor-General of the ...

Plate XXXIII: 'Chirurgie'. (Surgery.) This plate shows medical instruments / devices for treating the achilles tendon. This print originates from '...

Artist or Maker: Johann Wilhelm Weinmann Title: "Lilium album peregrinum. Lilium buliferum, Knöpfigte Feuer Lilien. Lilium croceum minus, Feuer Lilien." Medium: Colored etching Catal...

Antique print Ghana titled 'James Fort, Accra'. Aquatint of Fort James, built by the British as a trading post in 1673. This trading post later gave its name to Jamestown, Ghana. ...

This is an 18th-century hand-colored engraving from Johann Michael Seligmann's collection, displaying a parrot species. Here’s the transcription and translation of the visible text: ...

Antique religious print titled 'Geslachtboom der Priesteren en Leviten'. This antique print depicts the family tree of the Priests and Levites, as described in Exodus 6:16 and 3:18. ...

Title: Striking 18th-Century Engraving of Papal Chronology and Symbols of the Vatican This beautifully detailed 18th-century engraving, 'Pontificum Romanorum Series Chronologica'...

18th-Century Fencing Engraving – Elegant Depiction of Escrime Techniques This exquisite 18th-century engraving, titled 'Escrime', presents a detailed depiction of fencing techniqu...

Title: 18th Century Ethnological Engravings of Peruvians and Ecuadorians Description: These two 18th-century engravings, printed in 1756, are detailed depictions of the social and cultural life in Peru and Ecuador during the colonial era. Created by Quentin-Pierre Chedel (1705–1762), they are part of *Histoire générale des voyages* by Antoine François Prévost, a monumental collection that documented the world's exploration and cultural encounters. First Engraving (Residents of Peru): This print illustrates the residents of Lima, Peru, highlighting the various social classes and ethnic groups present in the region during the colonial period. The detailed engraving captures: A. Femme de Lima en Habit de Ville – A woman from Lima in formal city dress, representing the elite of society. B. Femme en Habit de Ménage – A woman in household dress, typical of a middle or upper-class domestic attire. C. Espagnol vêtu comme on l’est au Pérou – A Spanish man dressed as one would in Peru, showing the influence of Spanish colonial fashion on local attire. D. Mulatresse – A woman of mixed African and European descent, reflecting the diverse ethnic makeup of colonial Peru. E. Nègre Domestique – A domestic servant of African descent, showcasing the role of enslaved individuals in colonial households. The scene is set in a lush, natural landscape, with attention to the differences in social standing and attire. Second Engraving (Residents of Quito, Ecuador): The second engraving, although similar in style, depicts residents of Quito, Ecuador, and provides an ethnological view of the city’s diverse inhabitants. The composition shows: 1. Espagnole de Quito – A Spanish woman of high status, dressed elegantly, representing the colonial upper class in Quito. 2. Indienne de Distinction – An Indigenous woman of notable status, likely representing the local nobility or important community figures. 3. Barbier Indien – An Indigenous barber, reflecting the occupational diversity and social roles of the Indigenous population in colonial society. 4. Métive de Quito – A Métis woman from Quito, showing the mixed-race population that emerged during the colonial era. 5. Paysan Indien – An Indigenous farmer, indicating the essential role of agriculture and rural labor in the economy of colonial Ecuador. 6. Indienne du Commun – A common Indigenous woman, dressed in traditional attire, representing the majority of the Indigenous population. Like the first engraving, this print captures the varied ethnic and social dynamics in a colonial society, with figures placed in a landscape setting, emphasizing the connection between people and their environment. These engravings are not only artistic representations but also important historical records of colonial Latin America...