Flea, Garden Spider, Tarantula Spider, Scorpions, Centipede, Mellipede c1822

by Tegg, Thomas/William

Animated Nature antique print by Shroeder for Goldsmith.

Original steel engraving by G.F. Shroeder 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, An 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, often abridged. 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.

To the border measures 95 x 160mm (3.3/4 x 6.1/4 inches). Page size is 210 x 130mm (8.1/4 x 5.1/8 inches).