British Isles by George Edwards. 1753-55
This rare scientific map, called the 'beetle map', shows the tracks of George Edwards's journeys.
As Edwards says, 'The uncommon mixture of a geographical sheet and the figures of natural things may not at first be comprehended by every reader which obliges me to give a little explanation'. At first, he says, there are the tracks of his journeys to and from England and the Continent between 1716 and 1730. Then, without further explanation, he reveals that the vast beak at the top is that of the Egyptian Ibis, while the two impressive stag beetles are from Borneo in the East Indies. The tiny bird perches in a tree (lower right) was brought from Jamaica: it is the Least Humming Bird.
George Edwards (1694-1773)
A gifted amateur scientist and ornithologist. His four-volume work A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, published between 1743 and 1751, contains over 200 outstanding plates of birds, all etched by Edwards based on his original drawings. The plates are often delicately coloured by hand.
Verschiedene Reisen des Auctoris.
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Category: Antique maps > Europe > British Isles
British Isles by George Edwards.
Title: Verschiedene Reisen des Auctoris.
G. Eduard ad viv. delin. - J.M. Seligmann sc. et Excud. Norimb
Engraver: George Edwards.
Date of the first edition: 1746.
Date of this map: 1753-55.
This rare scientific map, called the 'beetle map', shows the tracks of George Edwards's journeys.
As Edwards says, 'The uncommon mixture of a geographical sheet and the figures of natural things may not at first be comprehended by every reader which obliges me to give a little explanation'. At first, he says, there are the tracks of his journeys to and from England and the Continent between 1716 and 1730. Then, without further explanation, he reveals that the vast beak at the top is that of the Egyptian Ibis, while the two impressive stag beetles are from Borneo in the East Indies. The tiny bird perches in a tree (lower right) was brought from Jamaica: it is the Least Humming Bird.
George Edwards (1694-1773)
A gifted amateur scientist and ornithologist. His four-volume work A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, published between 1743 and 1751, contains over 200 outstanding plates of birds, all etched by Edwards based on his original drawings. The plates are often delicately coloured by hand.