18th-Century English Hand-Colored Natural History Orinthology Bird Engravings, Pair

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This matching set of antique hand-colored bird engravings dates to the late 18th century and represents classic natural history illustration … Read more This matching set of antique hand-colored bird engravings dates to the late 18th century and represents classic natural history illustration from England. The left print depicts the Boat-billed Heron, labeled by its historic genus name “Cancroma,” a nocturnal wading bird native to Central and South American mangroves. The right print illustrates a hornbill labeled “Buceros,” closely resembling the rhinoceros hornbill, complete with its distinctive curved beak and casque. Both images are rendered as copperplate engravings and later hand-colored, a common practice of the period to enhance scientific accuracy and visual appeal.

The Boatbill engraving was drawn by George Edwards and engraved by J. Pass, published in London in 1799 for the Encyclopaedia Londinensis by J. Wilkes. The hornbill print aligns with late 18th to early 19th century ornithological works such as Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle or similar European natural history atlases. Each print is set behind glass with matching black mats and custom wood frames. Typed notes affixed to the backs read, “Rare Genuine old Engraving From a wellknown English Book on Birds, Printed in London anno 1799,” reinforcing their historical context and collectible value. See less