Eleazar Albin Natural History Insects Prints 1724

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To the Rt. Honorable John Lord Percevale ALI242 $45	To Mrs. Mary Reade 2nd Daughter of Sr. James Reade of Brockethall ALI243 $55	To Mrs. Rachel Schutz Wife of the Hon. Col. John Schutz ALI244 $45


To the Right Honorable Lady Mary Gore ALI245 $45	Al Reomo Pre. Don Bruno Tozzi Procuratore generale della Congregatione di Valombrosa ALI246 SOLD	To Mrs. Elizabeth Herbert ALI247 $45


To Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Bridges of Soho Square ALI270 SOLD	To the Honorable Mrs. Ann Somersett ALI249 $45	To the Right Honorable John Lord Ashburnham ALI250 $45


To the most Noble James Duke of Chandois ALI251 $45	To the Right Honorable The Donr. Lady Gerrard ALI252 $45	To Richard Sebright Esq. ALI253 $45


To the Honble. Brigadier John Langston ALI254 $45	To the Right Honorable Worsley Lady Carteret Baroness ALI255 $45	To the most Noble Mary Dutchess Donr. of Bedford ALI256 $45


To the Right Honorable Thomas Ld. Trevor ALI257 $45	To the most Noble Henry Duke of Beaufort ALI258 $45	To Tho. Knowlton Gardiner at Sr. Henry Perisces at Offy Place in Hartfordshire ALI259 $45


To the Right Honorable George Earl of Cardigan ALI260 $45	To Mrs. Dorothea Trotman Wife of Samuel Trotman of Bucknel ALI261 $45	To George Dashwood of Heningham Hall in ye Country of Suffolk Esq ALI262 $45


To Mountague Gerrard Drake Esq. ALI263 $45	To Sr. Tho. Lee of Hartwell in the County of Bucks Bar. ALI264 $45	To Kenrick Grantham of Stifford in ye County of Essex Esq. ALI265 $45


To Thomas Windham of Hankchurch in the County of Dorset ALI266 $45	To Mrs. Etheldred Hovel Wife of the Most Reverd. Father in God His Grace the Lord Arch Bishop of Canterbury ALI267 $45	To William Gibbons M.D. ALI268 $45


To Edward Jackson of the Midle Temple Esq. ALI269 $45	To Mrs. Honland ALI273 $35	To Mrs. Mary Groupy ALI274 $35


To the Right Noble The Marquess of Tullibardine ALI275 $35	To William Le Grand of Maiden Early in ye County of Berks Esq. ALI276 $45	To Brook Bridges Esq. ALI277 $35


To Dr. Ricahrd Richardson of North Bierley near Bradford Yorkshire ALI278 $45	To Vice Chamberlain Cook ALI279 $45	To the Honourable Mrs. Thynne ALI280 $35


To Sr. David Hamilton Physician to ye Princess, & F.R.S. ALI281 $45 no text	To the most Noble William Duke of Devonshire ALI282 $45	To Arthur Weavor of the Middle Temple Esq. ALI283 $45


To Richard Lyddill Esq. ALI288 $45	To Thomas Frankland Esq. ALI285 $35 no text	To the Rt. Honourable The Lord Flay ALI286 SOLD

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It is with great pleasure that we offer these original hand colored engravings by Eleazar Albin from the First Edition of "A Natural History of Insects" published in London in 1724.

Albin was a German professional painter who settled in England in 1707, where he married and raised a family, changing his name from Weiss to Albin. He was a prolific natural history illustrator who earned his living by making watercolors of the collections of wealthy patrons, including Sir Hans Sloane, whose collection founded the British Museum. "A Natural History of Insects" was originally published in 1720 and was the first colored compilation of English moths and butterflies. The composition was based on Maria Sybill Merian's notable work, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium published in 1705. The hand coloring for "A History of Insects" was done at least in part by his daughter, Elizabeth. Each plate is dedicated in the honor of a member of English nobility or to a person of high rank or recognition in early 18th century English society.

While the study of insects was, for the most part, not of great interest in the early 18th century, Albin found it fascinating and in the introduction, he notes to the reader, "As Providence is so remarkable in the propagation and preservation of Insects, so are they by no means to be esteemed useless Creatures: For besides their subserviency to one another, they likewise serve as food to many other Creatures, both Fish and Fowls. Young birds are almost generally fed with them; and … we are indebted to them for relief in several diseases; for all our Honey, Wax, Silk, …. From the whole we cannot but conclude that they are the Work of Infinite Power, and not the Effect of mere Chance, or the Product of Corruption."

Each print measures approximately 9 inches wide by 11 inches long with wonderful copperplate dedications on the bottom of the page. The paper is creamy, strong and chain-lined, with some watermarks. The condition of the prints is good, with some toning and minor foxing as described. There is an accompanying copy of the title page, and an original descriptive text.