Inexpensive, Original, Antique Art
Cart 0
SANDTIQUE ANTIQUE BIRD PRINT

Sandtique Rare Prints

Morris's Hand Colored Bird Eggs - 1889 - BEWICK'S SWAN

$ 17.23


 

ANTIQUE COPPER ENGRAVED, 

HAND-COLORED PRINT

This 154 year old print is from "A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE NESTS & EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS" by Rev. O.M.  Morris, published by George Bell & Sons of London in 1879.  

Rev. Francis Orpen Morris (1810-1893), Irish ornithologist and entomologist. At Bromsgrove School his love of natural history grew and he started a collection of birds and insects. One of the subjects in which he chose to be examined, was Pliny's Natural History. During this period he met the entomologist James Duncan (1804-1861), author of British Butterflies. As a student Morris maintained his interest in natural history, and helped order the insect collection in the Ashmolean Museum.

During his stay at Nafferton he acquired a reputation for writing popular essays on natural history and in particular on birds. His first book was an arrangement of British birds and was published in 1834. About this time he formed a close working association with Benjamin Fawcett (1808-1893), a local printer. This relationship would last nearly 50 years and have a profound effect on British ornithology. Benjamin Fawcett was arguably the most accomplished of nineteenth century woodblock colour printers.

His first best-seller was A History of British Birds which was published from June 1850 in monthly parts over a period of some seven years. Each folio consisted of text and 4 hand-coloured plates. Initially only a thousand copies were printed, but surprising demand quickly forced Fawcett to move to larger premises at East Lodge in Driffield. A Natural History of the Nests and Eggs of British Birds, A History of British Butterflies and A History of British Moths followed in rapid succession. The final work which Fawcett, Morris and Lydon would do together was The County Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland.  (WE ARE SELLING THESE IN ANOTHER SEGMENT OF OUR STORE) This appeared in six volumes, each with 40 coloured plates, and text as usual by Morris.

 He was an early advocate for conservation and was instrumental in founding the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

This copper engraving print (the size of the picture) is about 8 " x 5 " on a page that is about 10 " x 7 " It is in  good condtion with usual age toning.  It is suitable for framing and would be an excellant gift.

The print that is being sold is of  "BEWICK'S SWAN". 

Powered by eBay Turbo Lister
The free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items.

Share this Product


More from this collection

Follow @SANDTIQUE