Zoophyte Freshwater Vermes organisms, Genus Hydra, Engraving c1814.

by Rees, Abraham

Unusual hydrazoan genus of marine life antique print, c1814. Vermes Zoophytes, Hydra genus: H.viridis, H.grisea, H.fusca, and clusters of the three species, natural size.

Original copperplate engraving by Milton for “The New Cyclopaedia” compiled by Abraham Rees and published between 1810 and 1818 by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown of Paternoster Row in London. 

Having served a long apprenticeship as a reviser of Chambers’ Encyclopaedia, between 1802 and 1820 Rees produced the greatest encyclopaedia of the early 18th century, a completely original, finely illustrated work, using the finest artists and experts in each field. With over 240 engraved portraits of famous and unusual subjects, in each of seven volumes, it was titled "The Cyclopaedia or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature".

This wonderful engraving has fine later hand-colour, which certainly adds to its appeal. Full page shown, measuring 265 x 205mm (10.5 x 8 inches).