English Moths on Oak – Hand-Colored Insect Engraving, Eleazar Albin 1720
€ 310
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-14185-44
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 well preserved.
About this sheet
English Moths on Oak – Hand-Colored Insect Engraving, Eleazar Albin 1720
This hand-colored copper engraving was published in London in 1720 as part of A Natural History of English Insects by Eleazar Albin, one of the earliest systematic studies of British entomology. The plate illustrates moths and caterpillars shown at different stages of development, arranged around oak foliage. Albin’s method of depicting insects in direct association with their host plants was highly innovative and reflects careful field observation.
The plate is dedicated “To the Right Noble The Marquis of Tullibardine,” a Scottish nobleman and member of the powerful Murray family. Such dedications reflect the aristocratic patronage that supported scientific publishing in early 18th-century Britain.
The insects shown are moths and larvae associated with oak trees, likely early observations of oak-feeding species within the geometrid and noctuid families. The host plant depicted is oak (Quercus). The balanced composition, restrained coloring, and generous negative space give the engraving a refined decorative quality.
This is an original 18th-century engraving with original hand coloring, not a later reproduction.
Condition Light to moderate, even age-related toning consistent with early 18th-century paper. Minor edge wear from original binding. Original hand coloring remains well preserved.
Framing tips Frame in dark walnut or ebonized wood with a generous ivory or soft cream mat to complement the aged paper. For a lighter interior, pale oak or natural wood with a museum-white mat works beautifully. UV-protective glazing is recommended. Sold unframed.
