A Group of Five Late 18thC Hand-Coloured Engravings of Corals & Seaweed Specimens; c.1790 - 1797

Object Description

The quintet of antique engraved engravings with the well executed hand colouring to each, being original illustrations published in 1787-97, Edinburgh for “Encyclopaedia Britannica” Edited by Colin Macfarquhar and George Gleig et a and in London for “The New Royal Cyclopaedia, and Encyclopaedia; Or, Complete Modern and Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences” by George Selby Howard respectively; hailing from the last decade of the eighteenth century and showing a wonderful and vibrant array of corals, seaweeds and mosses, each now framed for display.

Object History

Unknown.

Object Literature

The plates are as follows:

Royal Cyclopaedia C1790 Hand Col Print. Coral, Seaweed, Mosses 48
Royal Cyclopaedia C1790 Hand Col Print. Coral 51
Royal Cyclopaedia C1790 Hand Col Print. Coral 52
Encyclopaedia Britannica 1797 HCol Print. Corals – Corallines
Encyclopaedia Britannica 1797 HCol Print. Corals

Both of these publications were intended to be a universal dictionary of arts and sciences and so forth of the time.

With coral reefs fast disappearing this is a timely reminder of how richly beautiful these organisms are.

Object Condition

The finely coloured plates are in generally good overall order. There is some light discoloration marks, minor margin toning and a couple of small margin tears, but the specimen examples all remain incredibly vibrant. The frames and ivory card mounts are recent and in keeping.

Object Details