Botany · 18th century
€ 380
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good antique condition with light age-related toning. Minor edge wear and traces of original binding. Hand coloring remains strong and well preserved.
Antique Entomology Prints, English Insects on Marigold & Willow, Albin 1720
A refined and visually striking pair of early 18th-century hand-colored engravings by Eleazar Albin, published in London in 1720 as part of his seminal work A Natural History of English Insects. These plates beautifully capture the interplay between insects and their host plants, presenting the full cycle of metamorphosis with both scientific clarity and decorative elegance.
The first plate (No. 78) centers on a flowering marigold, likely French marigold (Tagetes), with its rich red and golden blossoms rendered in vivid hand color. Surrounding the plant are various stages of insect life, including a caterpillar feeding along the stem, a chrysalis, and delicately engraved moths in flight and repose. The contrast between the bold floral tones and the subtle shading of the insects creates a dynamic and balanced composition.
The second plate (No. 79) presents insects associated with willow (Salix) and related hedgerow plants. Caterpillars are shown actively feeding on leaves, with clearly visible bite marks, while pupae and several species of moths—possibly early depictions of tiger moths and geometrids—are arranged around the composition. The elongated willow leaves and slender branches add a graceful linear rhythm to the image.
Both plates include elegant engraved dedications, reflecting the patronage system that supported scientific publishing in Georgian England. One is dedicated to John Ward of St. Clement Danes, London, Esq., while the other honors Thomas Lord Grey, Baron of Groby and Earl of Stamford, underscoring the social and intellectual networks behind Albin’s work.
Albin’s engravings are among the earliest systematic representations of British insects, combining observational accuracy with a refined aesthetic sensibility. Their decorative quality, combined with historical significance, makes them highly desirable for collectors and interior designers alike.
This is an original pair of 18th-century engravings, not reproductions. All items are authentic period works over 100 years old. The prints are sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and inspiration only.
Condition:
Good antique condition with light age-related toning. Minor edge wear and traces of original binding. Hand coloring remains strong and well preserved.
Framing tips:
Beautiful displayed as a pair in dark walnut or ebonized frames with wide ivory mats for a classic, museum-style presentation. For a lighter interior, consider natural oak frames with off-white matting. UV-protective glazing recommended.
Keywords:
Eleazar Albin, antique entomology print, English insects, marigold flower print, Tagetes, willow leaves, Salix, moth engraving, caterpillar illustration, hand colored engraving, 18th century print, natural history art, British insects, Georgian engraving, decorative antique print, insect life cycle, botanical entomology, London 1720, collector print
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Maker: Eleazar Albin, London, 1720
