World Peoples. Chinese, Laplander, Hottentot, Negro, American Indian. c1821

by Davenport, Samuel

Antique print of ethnic races of the world.

Original steel engraving c1821 by Samuel Davenport (1783-1867) 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, based on the work of authorities in the different subjects. 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 A History of the Earth and Animated Nature proved to be so popular that it was reissued with updates more than twenty times over the next 80 years - much abridged and in larger formats. 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.

Approximate page size is 130 x 215mm (5 x 8 3/8 inches). It has been mounted between 'antique white' ragmat conservation boards and covered with cellophane for protection until framed. The external matt size for frame window is 230 x 300mm.