Albertus Seba's Natural History

Prints from Albertus Seba’s Locupletissimi Rerum Naturalium Thesauri. Amsterdam: J. Wetstenium & Gul. Smith & Janssonio-Waesbergios, 1735. Engravings. Double folio prints: ca. 16 x 21. Folio prints: ca. 16 x 10 1/2. Lovely hand color. Excellent condition.

A series of stunning folio and double folio natural history prints from the early eighteenth century. These prints, made using copper engraving and then hand colored, are the most dramatic natural history prints issued in the eighteenth century. Showing shells, snakes and other subjects, these prints were produced with as much concern for their aesthetic appearance as for their scientific accuracy. Like many others in this field, Seba was a collector of curiosities and these magnificent prints illustrate items from his collection.