Albin, Moths and Caterpillars on Oak and Fern, 1720, Prints, Set of 2

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Title: Antique English Moths and Caterpillars on Oak and Fern – Albin Entomology 1720 : This set of two original … Read more Title: Antique English Moths and Caterpillars on Oak and Fern – Albin Entomology 1720 : This set of two original hand-colored copper engravings was produced by Eleazar Albin for his landmark publication A Natural History of English Insects, issued in London in 1720. As with all plates in this series, the compositions combine insects, host plants, and developmental stages into a single coherent image, intended both for scientific study and refined visual enjoyment. The first plate in this set is dedicated by Albin “To the Lady Bickerstaff.” It depicts caterpillars feeding on oak leaves, clearly identifiable by their rounded lobes and strong veining. Adult moths are shown nearby, including green and pale-winged species reminiscent of emerald and early geometer moths. The chrysalis stage is included separately, emphasizing the transformation from larva to adult. The restrained palette of greens and soft browns gives the plate a calm, woodland character. The companion plate bears a dedication “To the Right Honorable The Lady Mansell, Baroness.” It features caterpillars feeding on broad-leaved shrubs and a prominently rendered fern frond. The fern, with its divided pinnae, is drawn with botanical accuracy and serves as a striking structural element within the composition. Adult moths with darker wings, including richly patterned noctuid-type species, are arranged around the plants, with eggs and pupae completing the life cycle narrative. Together, these two engravings form a balanced and visually unified pair focused on woodland and shaded habitats. Their consistent hand coloring, naturalistic plant rendering, and aristocratic dedication inscriptions illustrate both the scientific ambition and the social context of early eighteenth-century British entomology. The set is well suited for collectors of natural history prints or for elegant interior display as a matched pair. Condition report: Light overall toning consistent with early 18th-century paper. Minor age-related surface marks and faint spotting. Hand coloring remains clear and well preserved. Framing tips: Frame as a matched pair using simple dark wood or black frames with off-white or light linen mats to emphasize the engraving detail and the soft, natural color palette. See less