What is the historical significance of George Edwards ornithological prints?

George Edwards was an 18th-century British naturalist and illustrator, widely regarded as the father of British ornithology. His published works, such as A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, featured detailed copperplate engravings that recorded bird species with scientific precision and artistic detail.

How were 18th-century ornithological engravings created and finished?

These works were produced by etching or engraving designs onto copper plates, printing the monochrome impressions onto handmade laid paper, and subsequently applying watercolours by hand to illustrate the plumage accurately.

How can you identify authentic 18th-century prints from later reproductions?

Authentic period prints display a distinct indented plate mark around the image area, evidence of chain lines and watermarks in rag paper, and subtle variation in hand-applied watercolour washes rather than uniform halftone dot patterns.

How should a set of antique bird prints be displayed in a modern interior?

A large grid layout or gallery wall configuration creates visual impact above a sideboard, console table, or along a hallway. Symmetry enhances traditional interiors, while hanging them against contrasting painted walls integrates classical art into contemporary spaces.

What are the best conservation practices for preserving antique paper engravings?

Framed paper works should be kept away from direct sunlight and hung in rooms with stable humidity to prevent fading and foxing. Mounting materials should be acid-free, ideally paired with UV-filtering glass.

for sale €23,400 $25,400

£20,000

Royal House Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2021

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

Royal house antiques is a privately-owned family ran company founded in wimbledon in 2012 by husband and wife james and iris thorpe

Relevant Links

Antique Bird Prints

Natural History Wall Art

Framed Ornithological Prints

Id #SA1139476

PDF

SAVE

12 Antique 1740 George Edwards Hand Coloured Ornithological Engravings of Birds

Name: 12 Antique 1740 George Edwards Hand Coloured Ornithological Engravings of Birds
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1139476
Price: 20000 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Royal House Antiques

Description

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare suite of Twelve original 1740-1760 dated hand water coloured prints after George Edwards 1694-1773 depicting Ornithological Birds, Butterflies and flowers in the period Decoupage frames

If you are looking at this listing then the chances are you know exactly what these are, I’ll include a short Bio below, there are different values to these sets and this is suite is at the very highest end as it has not just the basic birds but some of the most colourful examples I have seen, it also have birds mixed with butterflies in four of the examples which is super rare

The condition is period perfect, you can see the plate mark impressions around the boarders, some of the prints are detailed and dated with what they are, all the information has been pictured for you

These prints totally define a space, I can’t explain just how magical they are in real life

Dimensions

Height:- 41.5cm

Width:- 35cm

Depth:- 2.5cm

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask

A Natural History of Uncommon Birds (1743-1751) by George Edwards with 362 plates in all, with 318 of birds & the balance of various mammals, fish & insects.

It was heralded as the most important of all Bird Books, both from an artistic and an ornithological perspective, and time has certainly not dimmed either its luster or appeal.

George Edwards was an English draughtsman and a skilled observer of birds and one of the most prominent ornithologists of his day. He worked as Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians, where he was later elected a fellow, and was honored with the Gold Medal of the Royal Society. As the Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians, he oversaw a library of 8,000 volumes. The small honorarium he received for this post liberated him to pursue his ornithological studies and drawings.

He died in West Ham, which was also his birthplace, in 1773. Natural History and Gleanings was illustrated for the first time many foreign species often drawn from live specimens held in captivity in London.

Edwards etched his own plates and then hand-colored several copies before supervising others in the coloring. The result is a work of superb skill and breathtaking color that remains ever-popular and is now increasingly rare.

Such was the impact of Natural History and Gleanings, that Edwards is considered to have almost single-handedly popularized the art of bird and animal illustration, and is thus known as “The Father of British Ornithology.”

Any questions please feel free to ask.

Physical Dimensions

Height

41.5cm (16.34")

Width

35cm (13.78")

Depth

2.5cm (0.98")

Declaration

Royal House Antiques has dated these George Edwards Bird Engravings to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1139476

Description

fig 1. A set of twelve framed 18th-century hand-coloured bird prints by George Edwards presented in floral patterned mounts and gilt wooden frames. — fig 1. 12 Antique 1740 George Edwards Hand Coloured Ornithological Engravings of Birds

If you are looking at this listing then the chances are you know exactly what these are, I’ll include a short Bio below, there are different values to these sets and this is suite is at the very highest end as it has not just the basic birds but some of the most colourful examples I have seen, it also have birds mixed with butterflies in four of the examples which is super rare

“

The condition is period perfect, you can see the plate mark impressions around the boarders, some of the prints are detailed and dated with what they are, all the information has been pictured for you.

Royal House Antiques

fig 2. A set of twelve framed 18th-century hand-coloured bird prints by George Edwards presented in floral patterned mounts and gilt wooden frames. — fig 2. 12 Antique 1740 George Edwards Hand Coloured Ornithological Engravings of Birds

These prints totally define a space, I can’t explain just how magical they are in real life

Dimensions

Height:- 41.5cm

Width:- 35cm

Depth:- 2.5cm

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask

fig 3. A set of twelve framed 18th-century hand-coloured bird prints by George Edwards presented in floral patterned mounts and gilt wooden frames. — fig 3. 12 Antique 1740 George Edwards Hand Coloured Ornithological Engravings of Birds

A Natural History of Uncommon Birds (1743-1751) by George Edwards with 362 plates in all, with 318 of birds & the balance of various mammals, fish & insects.

It was heralded as the most important of all Bird Books, both from an artistic and an ornithological perspective, and time has certainly not dimmed either its luster or appeal.

fig 4. A set of twelve framed 18th-century hand-coloured bird prints by George Edwards presented in floral patterned mounts and gilt wooden frames. — fig 4. 12 Antique 1740 George Edwards Hand Coloured Ornithological Engravings of Birds

George Edwards was an English draughtsman and a skilled observer of birds and one of the most prominent ornithologists of his day. He worked as Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians, where he was later elected a fellow, and was honored with the Gold Medal of the Royal Society. As the Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians, he oversaw a library of 8,000 volumes. The small honorarium he received for this post liberated him to pursue his ornithological studies and drawings.

fig 5. A set of twelve framed 18th-century hand-coloured bird prints by George Edwards presented in floral patterned mounts and gilt wooden frames. — fig 5. 12 Antique 1740 George Edwards Hand Coloured Ornithological Engravings of Birds

He died in West Ham, which was also his birthplace, in 1773. Natural History and Gleanings was illustrated for the first time many foreign species often drawn from live specimens held in captivity in London.

fig 6. A set of twelve framed 18th-century hand-coloured bird prints by George Edwards presented in floral patterned mounts and gilt wooden frames. — fig 6. 12 Antique 1740 George Edwards Hand Coloured Ornithological Engravings of Birds

Edwards etched his own plates and then hand-colored several copies before supervising others in the coloring. The result is a work of superb skill and breathtaking color that remains ever-popular and is now increasingly rare.

fig 7. A set of twelve framed 18th-century hand-coloured bird prints by George Edwards presented in floral patterned mounts and gilt wooden frames. — fig 7. 12 Antique 1740 George Edwards Hand Coloured Ornithological Engravings of Birds

Such was the impact of Natural History and Gleanings, that Edwards is considered to have almost single-handedly popularized the art of bird and animal illustration, and is thus known as “The Father of British Ornithology.”

Any questions please feel free to ask.