Ascalaphus flavipes, Yellow-legged Ascalapus. Myrmeleonites from New Holland. Nodder engraving c1814

by Nodder, Richard Polydore

Antique print of Australian Yellow-legged Ascalaphus by Richard Nodder circa 1814.

Engraving and corresponding text page together: "This insect is a native New Holland, where it is found in considerable abundance. The wings immaculate, reticulated with black, their base, two anterior nervures, and stigmata yellow: stigmata of the hinder wings dark brown at their base.

Original hand-coloured copperplate engraving for “The Zoological Miscellany: being descriptions of new or interesting animals, compiled by William Elford Leach, M.D., F.R.S., and L.S.” published in London from 1789. Wonderful hand-coloured copperplate-engraved illustrations were drawn from nature and engraved by Frederick Polydore Nodder (1751-1801), and his son, Richard Polydore Nodder (1774-1820). Frederick and his son were both artists to King George III. They referred to themselves as "animal painter, draughtsman, and engraver in natural history", and used a distinctive dramatic style that exquisitely captures the finer aspects of each species. Frederick’s wife assisted greatly in compiling and publishing their work.

Page size is 135 x 235mm (5.3/8 x 9.1/4 inches).