Stick Insect, Phasma necydaloides fine hand-coloured steel engraving c1840.

by Lizars, William Home

Stunning Antique Print of Stick Insect, Phasma necydaloides ("Native of the Tropics"), named by Linnaeus in 1763.

Finely hand-coloured steel-engraving by W.H. Lizars for Sir William Jardine's Naturalist's Library "Entomology", this rather wonderful illustration was published in 1840.

William's father Daniel Lizars (1754-1812) engraved portraits as book illustrations and was an engraver of some merit. William's brother was anatomist John Lizars (c1787-1860). William Home Lizars (1788-1859) was born and educated through high school in Edinburgh. In 1826 Lizars engraved the first ten huge copperplate engravings for John James Audubon's Birds of America but was unable to continue when the colourists went on strike. He was then employed by Scottish naturalist, Sir William Jardine whose Naturalist's Library of small illustrations and text was intended to be affordable to anyone interested in natural history - not just the wealthy who could afford the grand colour-plate books that were produced in Britain during the early to mid-nineteenth century. Lizars engraved around 4,000 small nature portraits with exceptional finesse and scientific observation.

This engraving is in fine condition except for tiny foxing spots, and the usual age-discolouration of the paper which is to be expected when you consider it is over 175 years old. Size: 100 x 165mm (3 7/8 x 6 1/2 inches).