A Natural History of English Insects
Eleazar Albin, a German trained painter, was a well-established teacher of watercolour painting in England when he met the great British naturalist Joseph Dandridge. It is probable that this meeting led to Albin cultivating the interest of wealthy patrons such as Sir Hans Sloane to record their collections. His reputation and connections grew to such that his first publication eventually attracted over 170 subscribers.
A Natural History of English Insects contained 100 copper plates in black and white, which could be hand coloured at request for an additional charge. Many plates were coloured by his daughter Elizabeth, the first English women recorded as a painter and delineator of birds. First issued in 1720, Albin’s work appeared at a time when the pervasive attitude had been that the study of insects was not a matter for serious scientific interest. Albin stressed that the insects depicted were copied ‘exactly after the Life’ as the artists who had preceded him failed to observe carefully or excercised extreme artistic license rendering the images in either instant without scientific merit.
Albin’s great care and consideration in the faithful rendering of his subjects was instrumental in encouraging a serious study of natural history amongst the educated classes in England and in continental Europe. A Natural History of English Insects is considered one of the most important works, and Albin one of the greatest artists, of 18th century entomology.
Below are a few examples from this collection. Please click on an image to see it in high-resolution with details of the work itself. For the full list of original antique Albin engravings available, please do contact us.
![Albin Caterpillars. An original antique hand coloured copper engraving. 1749. 8" x 10". [NATHISp6821] Looper caterpillar with chrysalis and moths on a Heart-cherry Tree and Blackthorn Bush. Dedicated to the Countess of Essex](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NATHISp6821w.jpg?w=229&h=298&ssl=1)
![Albin Caterpillars. An original antique hand coloured copper engraving. 1749. 8" x 10". [NATHISp6817] Hawk-eyed Caterpillar on Willow Tree with further caterpillar, chrysalis and moths. Dedicated to the Honorable Mary Somersett.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NATHISp6817w.jpg?w=226&h=298&ssl=1)
![Albin Caterpillars. An original antique hand coloured copper engraving. 1749. 8" x 10". [NATHISp7717] Caterpillars: White mock butterfly on a radish with chrysalis and moths. Dedicated to William Byrd of Westover in Virginia.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NATHISp7717w.jpg?w=230&h=298&ssl=1)
![Albin Caterpillars. An original antique hand coloured copper engraving. 1749. 8" x 10". [NATHISp6824] Caterpillar on the African Marigold with chrysalis and moths. Dedicated to John Ward of St. Clements Danes.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NATHISp6824w.jpg?w=219&h=298&ssl=1)
![Albin Caterpillars. An original antique hand coloured copper engraving. 1749. 8" x 10". [NATHISp7720] Caterpillars: Admiral caterpillar on Nettle with butterflies, chrysalis and Ichneumon Fly. Dedicated to the Duchess of Beaufort.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NATHISp7720w.jpg?w=303&h=387&ssl=1)
![Albin Caterpillars. An original antique hand coloured copper engraving. 1749. 8" x 10". [NATHISp6820] Caterpillars: With chrysalis and moths on an Oak Tree and Wild Rose. Dedicated to Lord Somerset.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NATHISp6820w.jpg?w=300&h=387&ssl=1)
![Albin Caterpillars. An original antique hand coloured copper engraving. 1749. 8" x 10". [NATHISp7716] Caterpillars: Red Underwing on a Willow with chrysalis and moths. Dedicated to the Duchess of Newcastle.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NATHISp7716w.jpg?w=305&h=387&ssl=1)
![Albin Caterpillars. An original antique hand coloured copper engraving. 1749. 8" x 10". [NATHISp6815] Caterpillar: Silk Caterpillar on Plum Tree with chrysalis, ichneumon and moth. Dedicated to the Lady Drake](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NATHISp6815w.jpg?w=458&h=598&ssl=1)
![Albin Caterpillars. An original antique hand coloured copper engraving. 1749. 8" x 10". [NATHISp6822] Caterpillars:One on the Woody Nightshade and the other on the Larkspur with chrysalises, flies and moths. Dedicated to the Earl of Thomond](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NATHISp6822w.jpg?w=454&h=598&ssl=1)