An Attractive Group of Four 19thC Hand-Coloured Engravings of Birds From “A History of the Earth, and Animated Nature ” c.1850

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Origin: English
Period: Early Victorian
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1850
In Frames: 12” wide x 8.75” high (each)

The quartet of antique engraved prints with the well executed original hand colouring to each, being the original illustrations published in London by A. Fullarton & Co of London around 1850, in “A History of the Earth, and Animated Nature" By Oliver Goldsmith, showing a wonderful and vibrant array of idiosyncratic birds.

The finely coloured plates are in generally good overall order. There is some light discoloration marks but the birds all remain incredibly vibrant. The frames and ivory card mounts are late twentieth century and in keeping.

The wonderful display of birds shown are as follows;

Plate XXXVIII; White-Headed Eagle
Plate XXIII; Three Toucans
Plate LXI; Slender Parrakeet & Iris Parrakeet
Plate XLLX; Three Ibis

A History of the Earth, and Animated Nature is a work of natural history by Oliver Goldsmith. First published in 1774 in eight volumes, it attempted to bring together a history of the earth with a description of its geographical features and many of its species. Many further editions of the work were published in the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century as we see here.

Beautifully vivid depictions of some of the world’s most distinctive birds.
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