One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1720
Sheet size
28.3 × 22.1 cm (11.1 × 8.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14185-21, -22, 23, -24
Condition
Light overall toning consistent with early 18th-century paper. Hand coloring remains clear and well defined. Minor scattered spotting and gentle age wear. Overall very good condition for prints of this age.
About this sheet
English Tiger & Footman Moths – Scarlet Tiger, Speckled Footman, Albin 1720
Description This original early 18th-century set of four hand-colored engraved plates comes from A Natural History of English Insects, written, illustrated, engraved, and exactly colored by Eleazar Albin and published in London in 1720. The plates are numbered XXI–XXIV and depict a lively group of English moths shown with their caterpillars, chrysalides, eggs, and host plants, presenting the complete life cycle in a clear and orderly manner.
The insects illustrated include brightly patterned species such as the Scarlet Tiger Moth and related Footman and Tiger moths, contrasted with more modestly colored companion moths. The plates show adult moths in flight and at rest, alongside hairy and vividly marked caterpillars feeding on leaves. Pupae and egg clusters are carefully included, reinforcing the scientific intent of Albin’s work.
Albin’s illustrations combine close natural observation with an elegant sense of composition. Each insect and botanical element is spaced against an open background, allowing individual forms and markings to be studied without distraction. The hand coloring is applied with restraint and precision, enhancing both the decorative appeal and the scientific clarity of the engravings.
Offered together as four consecutive plates, this set preserves the original sequence of the book and forms a cohesive visual group. It is well suited to collectors of early entomology, British natural history illustration, or interior designers seeking authentic early 18th-century works with refined color and strong graphic presence.
Condition Light overall toning consistent with early 18th-century paper. Hand coloring remains clear and well defined. Minor scattered spotting and gentle age wear. Overall very good condition for prints of this age.
Framing tips These plates display beautifully in dark wood or black frames with wide off-white or warm cream mats. Hung together as a quartet, they create a balanced and elegant natural history wall.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring Maker: Eleazar Albin, London, 1720
