Dogs, Domestic Cat, Wild Cat antique print c1822.

by Davenport, Samuel

BullDog, Pug Dog, Shepherd's Dog, Domestic Cat, Greyhound, Wild Cat, engraved on steel by Samuel Davenport (1783-1867) for A History of the Earth and Animated Nature by Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774).

Original steel engraving c1821 by Samuel Davenport (1783-1867) for A History of the Earth and Animated Nature by Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774). Goldsmith was a novelist, poet, journalist and author of many works on natural history - usually based on the works of others. He aimed to bring together all that was known about the planet - earth, plants, animals and humans - in a small format that was accessible to all.

First published in 1774 A History of the Earth and Animated Nature proved to be so popular that it was updated, abridged and published more than twenty times over the next 80 years - in larger formats. This edition was published in London, circa 1822 by Thomas Tegg (1776-1845). Samuel Davenport was one of the first illustrators to engrave on steel.

Page measures 21 x 13.5 cm (8 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches). This plate has a water stain at lower left and other slight soiling marks.