Christopher Hall Antiques

Collection of Nine 18th Century Butterfly Engravings by Eleazer Albin

Ref: 001846       Price: £4800.00

Collection of nine 18th Century butterflies by Eleazer Albin. Each is dedicated to a prominent person in elaborate calligraphy, framed in complimentary frames. This book can be found in The Royal Collection of His Majesty King Charles III. Eleazer Albin (d. 1741) was a watercolorist with a special interest in natural history. His earliest drawings are in the British Museum. He had the financial support of many socially and scientifically important people of the day. Sir Hans Sloan encouraged his work and Sloan had Albin paint some of the natural history specimens he collected. Albin created these beautifully decorative early 18th Century depictions of moths, caterpillars, butterflies pupae and their habitats for inclusion in 'A Natural History of Insects', the earliest work devoted to the depiction of British moths and butterflies. Each of the beautifully engraved plates is dedicated to a member of English nobility or a person of high rank in early 18th Century English society. Copperplate engraving with original hand colouring. In excellent condition.

Dimensions: H : 44 cm x W : 38 cm