Oliver Goldsmith Seashells antique engraving, contemporary colour c1852.

by Goldsmith, Oliver

Pretty antique shell print XL (Plate 60). Small antique print of Seashells engraved for Goldsmith's Animated Nature.

Original hand-coloured engraving for "A History of the Earth and Animated Nature" by Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774), published between 1848 and 1852 by A. Fullerton & Company of Edinburgh and London.

This wonderful little natural history publication by Goldsmith was first issued in 8 volumes in 1774. It has been reissued many times since (mostly as abridged editions) between 1774 and 1862 - during a period of nearly 90 years! The ongoing popularity of this work was attributable to the fine stylised hand-coloured illustrations - particularly those showing groups of a family of animals.

Size of page is 25 x 16 cm (10 x 6.5 inches). To border measures 22.5 x 14 cm (8.7/8 x 5.1/2 inches). Some soiling of page.