GEORGE EDWARDS

Untitled: Cactus with Pink Flowers (Pl. 17)
Curtis' Botanical Magazine 1789

Hand Colored • Original Engraving • England - 18th century
Unmatted • 7.50" x 4.00" image size • 9.00" x 5.50" outer size

Price: $127.50

George Edwards started out as a merchant’s apprentice, however his interest in art and birds soon took his talents elsewhere. He traveled throughout Europe for two years and returned to his home country, England, in 1733 where he was appointed to the position of Librarian of the Royal College of Physicians. His compensation from this position and the patronage of Sir Hans Sloan, a prominent London physician and supporter of naturalists, allowed Edwards to produce his first major work, A Natural History of Uncommon Birds. Edwards was solely responsible for the book’s writing, drawings, and etchings; quite an undertaking for his time, it took six years to complete. It was published between 1743 and 1751 in four parts composing four volumes. His second work, Gleaning of Natural History, was issued between 1758 and 1764 in three volumes.