Locusts. Shaw Gryllus migratorius Plate 48 engraved c1805

by Shaw, George

Gryllus Insects Antique Print c1805 for Zoology or Systematic Natural History by George Shaw M.D.F.R.S. (1751-1813).

Published in London circa 1805 (with later hand-colour), this is from the rare series of copperplate engravings published by George Kearsley for zoological lectures delivered at the Royal Institution in London by George Shaw. These images were engraved by the famous natural history illustrator Mr Griffiths and his assistants.

After receiving a master's degree in 1772 from Magdalen College Oxford, Shaw began as a medical practitioner, but became assistant lecturer in botany at Oxford University from 1786. George Shaw co-founded the Linnaean Society in 1788 and became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1789. In 1791 he became assistant keeper of the Natural History Department of the British Museum and became Keeper in 1806.

The size of this antique print is 23 x 13 cm (9 x 5 inches).