A pair of original prints from “A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, and of Some Other Rare and Undescribed Animals, Quadrupeds, Fishes, Reptiles, Insects, Etc”. by George Edwards, 1743-1751. Includes Plate 101 - The Summer Duck of Catesby AND Plate 95 - The Red-Breasted Goosander. These are hand-colored and printed on cream-colored, chain marked paper. Each is signed within the plate as follows: “G Edwards 1746" and “Published December 1745 by George Edwards”. The plate marks measure about 7.5" x 9.25" and the mats to which they are adhered slightly more than 14" in height by 12" wide. The cream paper is browned - the first photo showing both side by side shows the darkening the most accurately (for some reason the background looks almost white in some of my photos - it is not white!).
Condition: Each print is glued between cardboard backing and mat - I do not know if the paste extends under the print or just at the edges (it would probably be safest to assume that they are completely affixed to the backing) and of course I have not been able to examine the margins. I tried to separate the backing from the mat but it did not come apart easily (I put some short tears in the backing in the attempt but the prints were not harmed). Both are browned with small spots of foxing. The images are strong and the paper is intact. ... [full description] |
