Albin's Natural History of Birds - Three Volumes with 306 Originally Hand-colored Engravings

Artist or Author: Eleazar Albin

Work: The Natural History of Birds

Date of Publication: 1738-1740

Style: Three Volumes with 306 Originally Hand-colored Engravings

Paper Size: ~ 9 1/4" by 11 1/2"

Condition: The work is in good to excellent condition overall. There is some fading / wear to the spine and boards. There may be a few minor imperfections or offset to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.

Description of the work: This three volume work with 306 originally hand-colored bird etchings is Eleazar Albin's The Natural History of Birds. This is the second edition of the work published in London by William Innys between 1738 and 1740.

The volumes are bound in full leather with gold gilt details to boards and spine, red band with gold gilt lettering, six raised bands. There are 306 originally hand-colored engravings in the work.

In Albin's notes to the reader he states "As for the paintings, they are all done from the life, with all the Exactness I could either with my own hand, or my daughters, whom I have taught to draw and paint after the life."

Eleazar Albin (1690-1742) made his living creating watercolors of wealthy collectors' cabinets, including Sir Hans Sloane. Sloane's collection founded the British Museum. Many of these collectors then subscribed to his Natural History of Birds. The plates were completed by Eleazar as well as his children, Elizabeth and Fortinalus.

Provenance: Sir Andrew Ward Esquire Hooton Pagnell, James Fairfax, Owned by Professor William Gardner Hale, top British authority on wading birds