Bidspirit auction | Edwards & Forbes - 3

Edwards & Forbes - 3 Humminbird Engravings - Two Prints from this work: This originally hand-colored engraving is from George Edwards's Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants &c. . This first edition work was published in London in 1760. The work is considered a follow up or part two to his Natural History of Uncommon Birds . George Edwards was an English draughtsman and proficient ornithologist. He worked as the Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians which eventually allowed him to pursue publishing his bird studies and drawings. Edward really drove the prominence of bird and animal illustration in his time and thus became known as 'The Father of British Ornithology'. One Print from this work: This sumptuous, originally hand-colored engraving is from James Forbes's Illustrations to Oriental Memoirs ... with explanatory notices . The work was published in London by Richard Bentley in 1835. The majority of the hand-colored engravings were done by William Hooker. They are rich images of natural flora and fauna of India. James Forbes was a writer for the East India Company, who first travelled to India in 1765. Forbes lived there for 17 years: “being a good draughtsman and keen observer, [he] had filled 152 folio volumes (52,000 pages) with sketches and notes on the fauna, flora, manners, religions, and archaeology of India.” (DNB) His notes and sketches were “selected and arranged from a series of familiar letters… including observations on parts of Africa and South America” (Prideaux) to create . “The drawings and collections of Mr. Forbes seem almost to exceed the powers of human industry and perseverance” (Allibone I, 611). “My friends in India, ” Forbes recounts, “were happy to enlarge my collections… the Hindoo often brought a bird or insect for delineation; the Brahmin supplied specimens of fruit and flowers from his enclosures.” Paper Size: ~ 9” by 11 3/4” ~ 9 1/2” by 12 1/4”