English Moths on Oak & Elm – Hand-Colored Entomology Engraving, Albin 1720
€ 330
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1720
Mapmaker / artist
Eleazar Albin, London, 1720
Technique
Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Sheet size
28.3 × 22.1 cm (11.1 × 8.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14185-41
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Light to moderate, even age-related toning consistent with early 18th-century paper. Minor edge wear from original binding. Original hand coloring remains clear and well preserved.
About this sheet
English Moths on Oak & Elm – Hand-Colored Entomology Engraving, Albin 1720
This finely hand-colored copper engraving was published in London in 1720 as part of A Natural History of English Insects, the landmark entomological work by Eleazar Albin. The composition depicts moths and caterpillars shown in successive stages of development, carefully arranged around oak and elm branches. Albin’s practice of illustrating insects in direct relation to their host plants was innovative for its time and places this work among the earliest systematic studies of English insects.
The plate is dedicated “To the Right Honorable The Lady Arthur Somerset,” following early 18th-century aristocratic convention. Lady Arthur Somerset was the wife of Lord Arthur Somerset, a British courtier and member of one of England’s most prominent noble families. Such dedications reflect the strong connection between scientific publishing and aristocratic patronage in Georgian England.
The insects shown are moths and caterpillars associated with deciduous woodland trees, likely including oak-feeding and elm-feeding moth species commonly observed in England. The plants depicted are oak (Quercus) and elm (Ulmus), rendered with botanical clarity and decorative balance. The restrained palette of greens and soft neutrals, combined with the natural symmetry of the layout, gives the engraving strong visual appeal beyond its scientific importance.
Printed on early 18th-century paper and finished with original hand coloring applied under Albin’s supervision, this engraving is an authentic period work, not a later reproduction. It functions equally well as a collector’s piece of early natural history and as a refined decorative artwork suited to classic or contemporary interiors.
Light to moderate, even age-related toning consistent with early 18th-century paper. Minor edge wear from original binding. Original hand coloring remains clear and well preserved.
Framing tips: For a classic interior, frame in dark walnut or ebonized wood with a generous ivory or soft cream mat to complement the aged paper tone. For a lighter, contemporary look, a pale oak or natural wood frame with a museum-white mat works beautifully. UV-protective glazing is recommended to preserve the original hand coloring. These engravings are sold unframed, allowing full flexibility for custom presentation.
