Antique Natural History Hand Coloured Copper Plate Engravings

Depicting seven exotic animals across four engravings.

Plate XLIV - The ‘Giraffe’ is so tall that he gets his own plate.

Plate LXXXVIII - Depictics ‘Elephas Maximus. Elephant suckling her young.’ and ‘Hippopotamus or River Horse’.

Plate LI - Depicts ‘Canis Aureus, or Jackall’ and ‘Canis Hyena or Striped Hyena.’

Plate XCII - Depicts ‘Equus Luagga. Quagga’ (Now extinct) and ‘Equus Zebra, Zebra.’

All were ‘Drawn from life by S. Edwards’. Sydenham Teast Edwards (1768-1819) was a Welsh-born, celebrated Natural history illustrator. The engravings all have a wonderful charm to them, and Edwards really has brought out the animal’s individual character.

Published by George Kearsley, Fleet Street, London, 1808. Dating from the latter part of George III's reign in the early 19th century, just prior to the regency period.

The engravings are all hand coloured with watercolour.

Framed and glazed in later matching and complementary white lacquered and parcel gilt frames with Boots framing labels dating from the early-mid 20th century period.

The engravings are all in great vintage condition, the colours still feel fresh and not faded, there is some minor wear commensurate with age, including some light foxing/discolouration in places, but no serious issues. The frames are also in great order, with handling wear commensurate with age.

Approximate overall measurements for each one: 25cm high x 15.5cm wide x 1.5cm deep.

Delivery is £20 to the Mainland UK. If you live elsewhere, please get in touch for an accurate quote. If you require shipping, please select this option at checkout.

Please note we also have another set of four engravings available from the same set, only in landscape rather than portrait.