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First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.
First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.
First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.
First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.
First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.
First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.
First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.
First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.
First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.

the first coloured bird illustrations in Britain


ALBIN, Eleazar.

A Natural History of Birds. Illustrated with one hundred and one copper plates, curiously engraven from the life. Published by the author and carefully colour'd by his daughter and self, from the originals, drawn from the live birds.

London, for the author by William Innys, John Clarke, & John Brindley, 1731, 1734 & 1738.

£23,500.00
£23,500.00

A Natural History of Birds.

94 New Bond Street

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+442074930876
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First editions in contemporary calf. The first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates.

'Little is known of Albin's [c.1680-c.1742] early life, though he was probably born in Germany to a family named Weiss. By 1708 he had changed his surname to Albin and was living in London with his family. His profession of art teacher led him to the close observation of the natural world, reinforced by painting work which he undertook for the naturalist Joseph Dandridge (1665–1747), who collected insects and observed their metamorphosis from egg to fly. He also drew natural-history subjects for Sir Hans Sloane, before gaining the patronage of the Dowager Duchess of Beaufort', who encouraged him to publish a book on insects (Royal Collection trust).

'For the most part Albin delineated one bird per plate. The birds are placed on a branch or on the ground, each part coloured. The proportions of the birds are a distinct improvement on those in Willoughby and Ray... Albin produced his paints in a rather strange manner according to Petiver's account. For his reds he washed and dried vermilion pigment in four waters and then proceeded to "grind it in boys urine three times, yn [then] gum arabic it and grind it in Brandy wine." Whatever his methods and however singular the contribution by his sons, this very first effort at colouring plates depicting birds is highly commendable and the results were gratifying, for the book was popular' (Jackson, Bird Etchings).

First editions; 3 vols, 8vo (28.5 x 22 cm); 306 hand-coloured engraved plates, variable spotting & offsetting, first plate of vol. II repaired with tape and slight loss from the lower edge of the image, plates 32 & 60 of vol. II trimmed just into the image, plates 36-39 with small stain in a blank portion, repaired closed tear to plates 103 & 104, light marginal dampstain to a few leaves of text, in vol. III plate trimmed just into the caption and a few others trimmed closely; contemporary mottled calf rebacked to style, red & green morocco labels, spines gilt in compartments, double gilt fillets, marbled endpapers, red speckled edges, bindings rubbed with some wear at the corners, very good condition.

Anker, 4 & 5; Jackson (Bird Etchings) pp 65-75; Mullens & Swann p8; Nissen (IVB), 14.

Stock code 121336

DELIVERY & RETURNS

We accept returns within 30 days of purchase. Please note that all items must be returned in their original condition, including all tags and packaging. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
First editions of A Natural History of Birds by Eleazar Albin, the first British bird book illustrated with hand-coloured plates, published in 1731, 1734, & 1738.

A Natural History of Birds.

£23,500.00
£23,500.00

Ask a question

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