Large paper copy - margins not fully shown:
image area approximately 5 x 7 on paper
measuring approximately 9 3/4 by 14 inches.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker LEW48 $45
While our images are electronically watermarked, the antique prints themselves are not.

We are offering a selection of hand colored engravings from the second edition large paper copy of The Birds of Great Britain, with their Eggs, a work in 8 volumes with 336 plates (278 of birds, 58 of eggs), dated 1795-1801.  We wish it could be the first edition, but that is the rarest of all English bird books, with all 60 copies entirely hand done by William Lewin himself, with absolutely no printing involved.  He traced each image onto the paper than painted it using watercolors, making the first edition both unique and highly prized in the history of bird illustration.

William Lewin (1747-1795) was a highly regarded naturalist and natural history illustrator. His was the first attempt to include all the eggs of the British birds in a work on birds. He did not live to see the publication of his second edition, which was completed by his sons.  The illustrations are quite unlike most 18th century bird art in that they have a striking simplicity of line and a classicism that make them seem quite contemporary.  The birds are captured in captivating, lifelike poses that avoid the stiff look of many of the works of this era.

References include Fine Bird Books p.119. Dictionary of Bird Artists p. 337

Each print is folio size, the large paper copy,  measuring approximately 9 3/4 inches by 14 inches with strong plate marks, on thick, creamy wove paper with some sheets bearing J Whatman 1794 watermarks.  The wide margins of each print are not fully shown in the photographs.  Each plate is nicely engraved in copperplate hand with the name of the bird, the artist and the date.  The condition is excellent for prints that are over 200 years old!

We accept credit cards, PayPal, checks, and money orders. Washington state residents pay Washington state sales tax. Shipping for this item is $8.95. Items can be combined to save on postage. Our environment is smoke free. We pack professionally using only new materials. All items are beautifully wrapped and suitable for sending directly as gifts. You may return any item within 7 days if not satisfied. To order, you may call us at 1-888-PANTEEK, fax or email.