6 beautiful Humming-Birds. Animated Nature engraving. Oliver Goldsmith c1848.

by Goldsmith, Oliver

Humming Birds antique print with vibrant early hand-colour. (The colour has oxidized through to the rear of the page.)

Original hand-coloured steel engraving for Goldsmith’s A History of the Earth and Animated Nature, published in London c1848. Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774) had intended to translate Pliny’s ‘Natural History’ but decided instead to compile his own work on all that was known about the planet and earth.

The first 18th century edition of Goldsmith's ambitious eight volume work, published in London the year he died, was in a very small format with each page crammed with masses of tiny illustrations. It was instantly popular as a pocket book.
With continuous demand over the ensuing years it was reissued many time, but in a larger format with beautiful hand-coloured illustrations. The format of the illustrations continuously improved with each issue. The work continued to carry Oliver Goldsmith's name throughout its publication. This illustration is from the finest series, published by A. Fullarton & Co. between 1848 and 1852.

These beautiful hand-coloured engravings of groups of fauna and flora have always been enjoyed and framed. As usual, the paper is slightly age-discoloured, with foxing spots and the page extremities somewhat soiled. The brilliant quality of hand-colour surely compensates. (Price is reduced.)

Size approximately 165 x 255mm (6.5 x 10 inches).