Antique Maps & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 62261:
Description
One print from:
This vibrant entomology engraving is from the first edition of Hippolyte Lucas’s
Histoire Naturelle des Lepidopteres Exotiques. Published in Paris in 1835 by F. Savy, the work featured almost 400 different species of butterflies. Lucas gained experience in the field of entomology while working as an apprentice for the Zoological laboratory in the Paris Museum of Natural History at the young age of 13. Lucas completed this striking work by the time he was 20 years old. The distinguished artist and engraver, Pauquet, contributed to
Histoire Naturelle des Lepidopteres Exotiques as well.
One print from:
This original hand-colored engraving is from Edward Donovan’s work
Natural History of the Insects of India, containing upwards of two hundred and twenty figures and description. The work was published in London in 1842 by J. O. Westwood and Henry G. Bohn.
Edward Donovan was involved in all the steps of creating the illustrations in his works from the drawing, etching, engraving, and hand-coloring. His artistic hand created some of the finest engravings that often have the appearance of watercolors.
Donovan was an avid natural history collector, fellow of the Linnean Society and the Wernerian Natural History Society. He also opened his own private museum in 1807, the London Museum and Institute of Natural History.
Donovan’s engravings are noted for their exceptionally hand-colored images. He drew the images himself from his own museum as well as the collections of Sir Joseph Banks & Dru Drury.
One print from:
This attractive originally hand-colored engraving is from Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s
Bilderbuch fur Kinder enthaltend eine angenehme Sammlung von Thieren, Pflanzen, Blumen, Fruchten, Mineralien, Trachten und allerhand andern unterrichtenden Gegenständen aus dem Reiche der Natur, der Künste und Wissenschaften. The work was published by Industrie-Comptoir between 1792 and 1810 in Weimar, Germany. The work was considered one of the finest natural history encyclopedias made for children. The engravings were done by Ludwig Ebner, C. Ermer, Theodor Götz, Ludwig Hess, Conrad Horney, J.B. Hoessel, C., G. Starcke, and more under the direction of Melchior Kraus and Johann Heinrich Lips.
"Without a doubt, Bertuch’s picture book is one of the greatest works that the children’s book collector will encounter … This is where modern, scientific thinking begins, the determination with which modern non-fiction is anticipated in children’s books. In addition, it is one of the most precious treasures of the Collector’s illustrated books." (E. Strobach in Philobiblon XIII, 255 ff.) As Bertuch stated in his introduction, "A picture book is just as essential and even more indispensable a meuble for a nursery as the cradle, doll or hobbyhorse."
The work was many-varied in what it illustrated. In "the 1100 panels not only contain the objects and areas listed in the title, they also contain curiosities such as the seven wonders of the world, mythical animals, a bullfight in Spain, horse races in England, microscopic views of animals and various objects, the telescope from Herschel, a diving bell, the telegraph in Paris, the Degen flying machine from Vienna and much more besides: the abundance of knowledge and direct visual aids, the care that is focused on the largest and the smallest, on the strangest and the everyday is used is astonishing and corresponds to the seemingly modern psychological-pedagogical considerations, as the author makes in the preliminary report." (European children’s books from the 15th to the 19th century 137-137a)
Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747-1822) studied theology and law, and was a poet, playwright, translator, publisher, and naturalist. He became a successful publisher with his firm in Weimar, Germany becoming the largest employer of that town. Bertuch’s work was inspired by that of Bloch, Jablonsky, Merian, Esper, Ellis, and more.
Paper Size ~ 5 1/2" by 8 7/8"
~ 7 7/8" by 10"
~ 8" by 9 3/4"
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor marks or imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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