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Lot 156
ALBIN, Eleazar (fl.1713-1759)
A Natural History of English Insects. London: for William Innys, 1749.
Closed12 July 2023
Price Realised
GBP 2,268
More Information
ALBIN, Eleazar (fl.1713-1759)
A Natural History of English Insects. London: for William Innys, 1749.
A fine copy of the fifth edition, with both text and plates drawn from personal observation. Little is known of Albin, however he does give some details in the preface of the present work: 'Teaching to Draw and Paint in Water-Colours, being my Profession, first led me to the observing of Flowers and Insects, with whose various Forms and beautiful Colours I was very much delighted; especially the latter, several of which I painted after the Life, for my own Pleasure. After some time this brought me acquainted with Mr. [Joseph] Dandridge.. [He] employed me in painting Caterpillers for him, and recommended me to Mrs. [Laetitia] How[e]...For [whom]... I painted a great Number of Caterpillars and Flies; and likewise several Things relating to Natural History for Sir Hans Sloane. After this I was introduced to Her Grace Mary the late Dutchess Dowager of Beaufort, who imployed me in the same manner; this excellent Lady first persuaded me to undertake the following Work.' The proposal sheet soliciting subscriptions was published in 1713-14, however the first edition was not published until 1720. Subsequent editions appeared in 1724, 1731, 1735 and 1749. Lisney 123; cf. Nissen ZBI 58.
Quarto (290 x 230mm). 100 hand-coloured engraved plates by Albin, H.Terasson, Hullet, van Gucht after Albin (without W. Derham's 'Notes' as usual, plate X spotted, plate XCVI with the colouring slightly smudged, light soiling and browning to upper blank margins of dedication and preface leaf). Contemporary red straight-grained morocco gilt, gilt edges (neatly rebacked, some spotting to upper cover). Provenance: John, 15th. Lord Gray (1798-1867, armorial bookplate).
A Natural History of English Insects. London: for William Innys, 1749.
A fine copy of the fifth edition, with both text and plates drawn from personal observation. Little is known of Albin, however he does give some details in the preface of the present work: 'Teaching to Draw and Paint in Water-Colours, being my Profession, first led me to the observing of Flowers and Insects, with whose various Forms and beautiful Colours I was very much delighted; especially the latter, several of which I painted after the Life, for my own Pleasure. After some time this brought me acquainted with Mr. [Joseph] Dandridge.. [He] employed me in painting Caterpillers for him, and recommended me to Mrs. [Laetitia] How[e]...For [whom]... I painted a great Number of Caterpillars and Flies; and likewise several Things relating to Natural History for Sir Hans Sloane. After this I was introduced to Her Grace Mary the late Dutchess Dowager of Beaufort, who imployed me in the same manner; this excellent Lady first persuaded me to undertake the following Work.' The proposal sheet soliciting subscriptions was published in 1713-14, however the first edition was not published until 1720. Subsequent editions appeared in 1724, 1731, 1735 and 1749. Lisney 123; cf. Nissen ZBI 58.
Quarto (290 x 230mm). 100 hand-coloured engraved plates by Albin, H.Terasson, Hullet, van Gucht after Albin (without W. Derham's 'Notes' as usual, plate X spotted, plate XCVI with the colouring slightly smudged, light soiling and browning to upper blank margins of dedication and preface leaf). Contemporary red straight-grained morocco gilt, gilt edges (neatly rebacked, some spotting to upper cover). Provenance: John, 15th. Lord Gray (1798-1867, armorial bookplate).
ALBIN, Eleazar (fl.1713-1759)
A Natural History of English Insects. London: for William Innys, 1749.
A fine copy of the fifth edition, with both text and plates drawn from personal observation. Little is known of Albin, however he does give some details in the preface of the present work: 'Teaching to Draw and Paint in Water-Colours, being my Profession, first led me to the observing of Flowers and Insects, with whose various Forms and beautiful Colours I was very much delighted; especially the latter, several of which I painted after the Life, for my own Pleasure. After some time this brought me acquainted with Mr. [Joseph] Dandridge.. [He] employed me in painting Caterpillers for him, and recommended me to Mrs. [Laetitia] How[e]...For [whom]... I painted a great Number of Caterpillars and Flies; and likewise several Things relating to Natural History for Sir Hans Sloane. After this I was introduced to Her Grace Mary the late Dutchess Dowager of Beaufort, who imployed me in the same manner; this excellent Lady first persuaded me to undertake the following Work.' The proposal sheet soliciting subscriptions was published in 1713-14, however the first edition was not published until 1720. Subsequent editions appeared in 1724, 1731, 1735 and 1749. Lisney 123; cf. Nissen ZBI 58.
Quarto (290 x 230mm). 100 hand-coloured engraved plates by Albin, H.Terasson, Hullet, van Gucht after Albin (without W. Derham's 'Notes' as usual, plate X spotted, plate XCVI with the colouring slightly smudged, light soiling and browning to upper blank margins of dedication and preface leaf). Contemporary red straight-grained morocco gilt, gilt edges (neatly rebacked, some spotting to upper cover). Provenance: John, 15th. Lord Gray (1798-1867, armorial bookplate).
A Natural History of English Insects. London: for William Innys, 1749.
A fine copy of the fifth edition, with both text and plates drawn from personal observation. Little is known of Albin, however he does give some details in the preface of the present work: 'Teaching to Draw and Paint in Water-Colours, being my Profession, first led me to the observing of Flowers and Insects, with whose various Forms and beautiful Colours I was very much delighted; especially the latter, several of which I painted after the Life, for my own Pleasure. After some time this brought me acquainted with Mr. [Joseph] Dandridge.. [He] employed me in painting Caterpillers for him, and recommended me to Mrs. [Laetitia] How[e]...For [whom]... I painted a great Number of Caterpillars and Flies; and likewise several Things relating to Natural History for Sir Hans Sloane. After this I was introduced to Her Grace Mary the late Dutchess Dowager of Beaufort, who imployed me in the same manner; this excellent Lady first persuaded me to undertake the following Work.' The proposal sheet soliciting subscriptions was published in 1713-14, however the first edition was not published until 1720. Subsequent editions appeared in 1724, 1731, 1735 and 1749. Lisney 123; cf. Nissen ZBI 58.
Quarto (290 x 230mm). 100 hand-coloured engraved plates by Albin, H.Terasson, Hullet, van Gucht after Albin (without W. Derham's 'Notes' as usual, plate X spotted, plate XCVI with the colouring slightly smudged, light soiling and browning to upper blank margins of dedication and preface leaf). Contemporary red straight-grained morocco gilt, gilt edges (neatly rebacked, some spotting to upper cover). Provenance: John, 15th. Lord Gray (1798-1867, armorial bookplate).
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