Botany · 18th century
€ 549
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good antique condition with age-appropriate toning and light wear.
Antique Entomology Print, English Insects on Oak & Elm, Albin 1720
A refined and engaging example of early English natural history illustration, this original hand-colored copper engraving by Eleazar Albin was published in London as part of his seminal work A Natural History of English Insects. Created at a time when science and art were closely intertwined, Albin’s plates combine careful observation with a balanced and decorative composition.
The engravings depict insects at various stages of their life cycle—caterpillars, chrysalides, and moths—shown in direct relationship with their host plants. Clearly identifiable are oak leaves and acorns (Quercus) and elm foliage (Ulmus), both important habitats for native British species. The insects represented are primarily moths, likely including geometrid and noctuid species, with their larvae feeding on the leaves and their pupae carefully illustrated with precise detail.
Albin’s compositions are notable for their clarity and elegance. Rather than presenting specimens in isolation, he arranges them naturally across the branching forms of oak and elm, creating a harmonious balance between scientific study and visual appeal. The original hand coloring enhances both the readability and decorative quality of the sheet, while retaining the delicacy of the engraved linework.
Each plate carries a dedication that reflects the intellectual and patronage networks of early 18th-century England:
Plate 68: Dedicated to Dr. Richard Richardson of North Bierley, Yorkshire, a physician, botanist, and Fellow of the Royal Society who contributed significantly to the study of British plants.
Plate 69: Dedicated to John, Lord Perceval, later 1st Earl of Egmont, an Anglo-Irish statesman and patron of science and literature.
Plate 70: Dedicated to Sir Richard Sebright, a Member of Parliament and landowner associated with the English gentry who supported scholarly publications.
Albin’s work represents one of the earliest systematic attempts to document British insects within their natural environment, making these engravings both historically important and visually appealing. They remain highly sought after by collectors of natural history, as well as for their decorative qualities.
This example is an original antique engraving printed in around 1720. It is not a modern reproduction. Any images showing the print framed are for visual inspiration only. The print is supplied unframed.
Details:
Creator: Eleazar Albin (English, 1680–1742)
Date: 1720
Medium: Hand-colored copper engraving
Condition: Good antique condition with age-appropriate toning and light wear
Format: Unframed
Origin: London, England
Keywords:
Eleazar Albin, English insects, natural history engraving, oak leaves print, elm botanical print, moth life cycle, entomology print, 18th century engraving, antique copper engraving, hand colored print, British natural history, Georgian print, scientific illustration, decorative antique print, collector engraving
