Late 18th Century Prints

Title: Temple Gallery at Gau and Rock Tomb near Hajar Silsila – Egypt Engraving, 1776 Description: This antique engraving from 1776 illustrates architectural elements of a temple ga...

Colossus of Memnon at Thebes, Egypt – Antique Front and Rear Views, c.1776 Description: This striking pair of antique engravings offers front and rear views of the Colossus of Memno...

Ancient Egyptian Rock Tombs at Hajar Silsili – 1776 Dutch Engraving by Pococke This finely executed 18th-century engraving presents a detailed architectural elevation and plan of th...

Set of 3 antique botany prints. It shows the Winged Leaved Ipomoea, Rose-Coloured Leadwort and the Three-Coloured Crane's Bill. These pr...

Title: Die Amerikanische Rohrdommel mit den Federbusch - Hand-Colored Engraving of the American Crested Bittern by Johann Michael Seligmann, 18th Century This beautiful hand-colored...

Fruits of the Theban Palm – Botanical Study of Date Palm Egypt c.1776 Description: This antique botanical engraving, titled "Fructus Palmæ Thebaicæ," offers a striking and detailed ...

Mountain Views of Sinai and Horeb – Antique Engraving of Biblical Landscapes, c.1790 Description: This striking 18th-century engraving presents a series of eight scenic views of mou...

Title: Tomb Layouts of Kings at Thebes with Path to Chamber X – Egypt Engraving, 1776 Description: This architectural engraving from 1776 shows detailed floor plans of several royal...

Antique botany print of the common tulip tree. This print originates from 'The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed (..)' by William Curtis. Publi...

Antique map titled 'Carte de l'Amerique Méridionale'. Original antique map of South America. Note the 'Laguna de Xarayes' is illustrated as the source of the Paraguay river. The laguna is now known as Pantanal, world's largest tropical wetland area. This map orginates from 'Abrégé de l'histoire générale des Voyages' by J.F. de la Harpe.

Optica View Amsterdam Hogesluis & Amstel Locks, Basset Paris c.1770 This is a finely engraved and hand-colored optica view titled Vue de l’ecluse d’Amstel regardant par le dehors d’...

Optica View The Hague Scheveningsebrug & Noordeinde, c.1770 This is a finely engraved and hand-colored optical print titled '’t Gesight van de Schevelingse Brug komende uyt het Noor...

Optica View The Hague Hofvijver & Binnenhof, Basset c.1770 Hand-Colored Print This is a fine hand-colored optical print titled *Le fameux Vivier de la Haye*, also captioned in Latin...

This finely executed engraving, titled "The Outside of a Morai, or Burial Place in Atooi" and "The Inside of a House, in the Morai in Atooi," offers a fascinating depiction of Hawaii...

Knight of the Illustrious Order of Saint Januarius in Ceremonial Robes Description: This hand-colored engraving depicts a distinguished Knight of the Illustrious Order of Saint Janu...

Published by Russell (J. C.). Denmark. Divided into Dioceses and Prefectures compiled from the best Authorities, 1790, hand-coloured engraved map on handmade paper with watermark. 41...

Antique map titled 'Kaartje van Europa (..)'. Uncommon original antique map of Europe. This map originates from 'Nieuwe Natuur- Geschied- en Handelkundige Zak- en Reisatlas' by Gerri...

Title: View of Geneva from the Rhône River (Vue de Genève, Du côté de la chute du Rhône) Description: This finely detailed engraving depicts a panoramic view of Geneva as seen from ...

This antique engraving is an illustration from the monumental work of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke in 1793. This engraving is part of the "...

Combat Naval dans le Golfe de Venise – Rare Optical Print of the Venetian Victory over the Turks, circa 1770 This rare and vividly hand-colored 18th-century 'vue d’optique' titled 'Combat naval dans le Golfe de Venise gagné par les Vénitiens sur les Turcs le 29 may 1749' portrays the dramatic naval engagement between Venetian and Ottoman forces in the Gulf of Venice. Published anonymously around 1770 and engraved with both French and contemporary Dutch captions, this optical print commemorates the final large-scale clashes between two former Mediterranean naval superpowers. The scene is packed with explosive detail. On the left, Venetian galleons fly red flags and dominate the composition, their cannon smoke billowing across the water. Soldiers and sailors tumble into the sea or scramble into longboats, while others engage in intense shipboard combat. To the right, the Ottoman fleet, also with full sails and ornate sterns, exchanges fire from a line of vessels that extends toward the hazy horizon. The turbulent sea, streaked with swimmers, debris, and gunfire, draws the viewer's eye toward the vanishing point, a classic technique in *vues d’optique* designed to create depth when viewed through a zograscope. The perspective is exaggerated and theatrical, heightening the tension of the moment. The hand coloring, still strong and fresh, adds to the dramatic impact—especially the reds, blues, and blacks used to signify uniforms, flames, and flags. Above the scene, a reversed French title along the top border is a hallmark of optical prints, meant to appear legible when viewed through mirrored optical devices. The lower margin features a printed French description and a carefully penned Dutch caption in brown ink, adding provenance and local historical context for a Dutch-speaking audience. These types of naval battle scenes are among the most collectable of optical prints, especially when they depict rare or less frequently recorded events such as this Turkish-Venetian engagement, which helped mark the waning of Ottoman influence in the Adriatic. Keywords: Venetian naval battle print, Ottoman fleet, vue d’optique maritime, 18th-century naval...

Raymond du Puy: 1791 Hand-Colored Engraving of the First Grand Master of the Hospitallers This captivating hand-colored engraving, titled "Raymund du Puy, erster Großmeister des J...

Shepherd Resting Against a Fence – 18th-Century Etching by F. Faber This finely detailed etching by F. Faber, titled 'Schaapherder leunend tegen hek' (Shepherd Resting Against a F...

Title: Knight of the Constantinian Order, Vividly Illustrated from Schwan's Iconic Series Description: This hand-colored engraving depicts a "Ritt...

Antique map titled 'Partie de la Nouvelle Grande Carte des Indes Orientales, contenant les Isles de Borneo, Iava, Celebes, Mindanao (..)'. Detailed map of the Indonesian islands ...

Pre-Rhodes Hospitaller Nun: 1791 Hand-Colored Engraving of Historic Ceremonial Dress This vibrant hand-colored engraving, titled "Ehemalige Kleidung der Johanniterinnen vor Erober...

This print titled "Ornemens, Ustensiles Et Armes Des Isles Des Amis" is from Captain James Cook's third voyage, specifically published in 1777 by Strahan and Cadell. It represents va...

Optica View The Hague Prinsegracht, Basset c.1770 Hand-Colored Engraving This is a beautifully engraved and hand-colored optical print titled *Vue perspective du Chateau du Prince G...

Title: "A View of the Whale-Fishery and the Manner of Killing Bears near the Coast of Greenland" Description: This fascinating engraving depicts a vivid scene of Arctic whaling acti...

Grand Cross of the Order of St. George in Bavaria: 1791 Hand-Colored Engraving This striking hand-colored engraving, titled "Grosskreuz des St. Georgen Ordens in Bayern" (Grand Cr...

Optica View Amsterdam Kloveniersburgwal & St. Anthoniesluis, c.1770 This is a finely engraved and hand-colored optical print titled Canalis quae vocatur Kleveniers prospiciens versu...

Untitled print, Section VIII, plate IV. This chromolithograph depicts a series of six ivory carvings. 1. a group of a lady and a child, 2. a figure of K...

Sir William Jones – Judge of the Supreme Court of Bengal – European Mag. c.1795 This finely executed antique engraving depicts Sir William Jones (1746-1794), renowned British philol...

Title: Cochineal Cactus and Kermes Oak: Hand-Colored Engraving from Bertuch's "Bilderbuch für Kinder" (1795) Description: This vibrant hand-colored copperplate engraving from Frie...

Title: Exotic Pigeons of the World: Hand-Colored Engravings from the Seligmann Edition, After George Edwards’ Natural History This set of three beautifully detailed hand-colored eng...

Vue du Port de Dieppe – Hand-Colored Optical Print, Paris circa 1790 Description: This engaging and finely hand-colored optical print titled 'Vue du Port de Dieppe' offers a vivid 1...

Antique map titled 'Carte de l'Empire de la Chine de la Tartarie Chinoise, et du Royaume de Corée'. Interesting and detailed map of China, Korea, Japan and the Northern Philippines. ...

Title: "The Repast of the Reapers: 18th-Century Hand-Colored Rural Scene" Description: This vibrant hand-colored engraving, titled *The Repast of the Reapers*, depicts a lively ru...

Vue de Bayonne du Côté du Port – Hand-Colored Optical Print by Basset, Paris circa 1790 This beautifully detailed hand-colored optical print, titled 'Vue de Bayonne du côté du Port'...

Vue Perspective du Grand Étang de Buen Retiro – Optical View of the Spanish Royal Retreat, Daumont, Paris circa 1770 This antique hand-colored optical print, titled 'Vue Perspective...

An antique engraving depicting a dance scene titled "An Exact Representation of a Dance in Otaheite," Otaheite being an archaic name for Tahiti in French Polynesia. This engraving would have been created as a part of a series to document the culture and life of the Tahitian people, likely observed by European explorers during one of the many voyages to the South Pacific in the 18th century. In the foreground, there are central figures engaged in a dance, wearing traditional Polynesian attire, which includes wraps around their waists and adornments that seem to represent status or a part of the dance costume. They are holding what appear to be fans, which may be part of the traditional dance. The dancers' poses suggest movement and a performance aspect to the scene. Behind the dancers, we can see a group of musicians providing the accompaniment, playing drums, which indicates the importance of music and rhythm in the dance. To the right, there is an audience of seated individuals, likely members of the community, watching the performance. The background of the scene includes thatched huts and a lush landscape with palm trees, depicting a typical village setting in Tahiti. The checkerboard pattern on the ground where the dance takes place is notable, as it adds a sense of structure to the scene. This image would have been intended for a European audience unfamiliar with Tahitian culture and would have served as a visual record of the encounters between European explorers and the peoples of the Pacific Islands. The engraving you've uploaded, titled "An Exact Representation of a Dance in Otaheite," is likely from a work documenting the voyages of Captain James Cook, given the style and subject matter. Captain Cook made three voyages to the Pacific Ocean during the 18th century, and his encounters with the peoples of the Pacific, including those of Tahiti (Otaheite), were extensively recorded and published. The engravings from Cook's voyages were made by artists who accompanied him, such as John Webber on his third voyage, or were based on sketches made by other crew members. These images were then published in the official accounts of the voyages. The most notable of these accounts is "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean" undertaken during Cook's third voyage from 1776 to 1780, which was published in the years following his death in 1779. Another possible source for this engraving could be from the accounts of Joseph Banks. Banks was a naturalist who joined Cook on his first voyage (1768-1771) aboard the HMS Endeavour and was responsible for extensive collections and descriptions of Pacific cultures. His collections and later works also included illustrations and engravings of the scenes and peoples encountered. Given that the engraving is labeled as "London Published as the Act directs by Alexr. Hogg at the Kings Arms...

Amsterdam and the Bridge across the Amstel River, aquatint by Samuel Ireland, 1795 This finely executed sepia-tone aquatint titled 'Amsterdam and Bridge across the Amstel' was both ...

Rare Antique Hand-Colored Engraving of Le Sajou Monkey (1797-1800) – Audebert’s Masterpiece This exquisite antique engraving, titled "Le Sajou. Variété A. Simia apella v.a.", is a...

White Stork Antique Dutch Bird Print by Sepp and Nozeman, 18th Century This elegant hand-colored copper engraving titled 'Ardea Ciconia' presents the white stork (*Ciconia ciconia*)...

Title: "Canton Fur Trader: A Vibrant 1799 Glimpse into China's Commerce" Description: This detailed print, labeled as Plate 43 from the series "Costumes of China," depicts a fur tra...

1778 View of the Dutch Fortifications and Port of Batavia, Now Jakarta This original 1778 copperplate engraving titled "A View of the Dutch-Fortifications and Port of Batavia" captu...

Hogarth's 1756 "France" Satirical Print: A Scathing Critique Step into the world of 18th-century satire with this rare 1756 William Hogarth print, "France," from his "France and E...

Antique Print of Dodo and Trumpeter Bird, Plate 688–689, c. 18th Century This antique ornithological engraving features two rare and historically significant bird species: the “Träg...

Antique print titled 'Fou tachete, de Cayenne.' This print shows a northern gannet (Juv). Originates from 'Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux', by Comte de Buffon, published in Paris f...

Antique print titled 'The Punishment of a Butcher of Grand Cairo for selling Stinking Meat (..)'. A scene of Butcher’s fate for selling rancid meat. Engraved for Middleton's 'Complet...

Allegorical Engraving of Égalité from the French Revolutionary Era This neoclassical engraving powerfully represents Égalité (Equality), one of the central ideals of the French Revo...

Print by engraving on copper plate from the Panckoucke Encyclopédie méthodique, end of the 18th century, volume Marine Planches (more than 1,500 figures dealing with all subjects on the marina: planes, construction, carpentry, tree trunks, armaments of maneuvers, ropes, sails, artillery, ship maneuvers and combat tactics). This is the plate n. 149, page. 166 fig. 1209-1212; with frame cm 57.8 x 31.8. The prospect of the side of a ship is depicted. The Print has the "Benard direxit...

Great Seal of Queen Anne After Union with Scotland – Harrison c.1775 Description: This antique print depicts the Great Seal of Queen Anne after the 1707 Un...

The engraving shows "His Majesty's Dog Kennel at Ascot," a facility associated with the royal hunting grounds near Ascot, England. This artwork reflects the importance of hunting as a royal pastime and the infrastructure dedicated to maintaining hunting hounds. The scene depicts a substantial kennel building with two prominent wings and a central section. A group of hounds is seen in the courtyard, indicating this was an active kennel used...

Title: Microscopic Study of Insect Anatomy: Hand-Colored Engraving from Bertuch's "Bilderbuch für Kinder" (1790s) Description: This intricate copperplate engraving delves into the m...

This image is an exquisite hand-colored engraving from the "Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux," a seminal work published between 1765 and 1780. The artist behind this detailed work is F...

Rare 1769 Barbary Sheep Engraving – Hand-Coloured Buffon Amsterdam Edition This handsome hand-coloured 18th-century engraving, titled Le Mouton de Barbarie (Plate XXXVIII from Tome ...

Rare 1769 India Sheep & Ram Trio – Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings Set Description: This exceptional trio of hand-coloured engravings of Indian sheep and rams comes from the scarce ...

Rare 1769 Iceland Sheep Pair – Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings Amsterdam This superb pair of hand-coloured 18th-century engravings of the Icelandic sheep and ram, titled La Brebis d’Islande (Plate XXXII) and Le Bélier d’Islande (Plate XXXI), comes from the 1769 Amsterdam Dutch edition of Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle. These plates are among the most characterful and decorative images in the quadruped series, capturing the distinctive long-haired Icelandic breed with remarkable artistic sensitivity. Drawn by Buffon’s celebrated illustrator Jacques de Sève and engraved with fine precision, each sheet presents an Icelandic sheep in a natural landscape, shown with rustic dwellings, hills, and the atmospheric grey skies of the North. The hand colouring of the Schneider edition is exceptionally appealing: warm chestnut and golden tones in the long wool, contrasted with soft greens and muted earth tones in the foreground. The engraver’s subtle linework in the facial features and horns brings great expression to these hardy northern animals. The ewe, shown in Plate XXXII, stands with a slightly turned head, her long fleece rendered with delicate layered strokes. Small cottages and distant volcanic forms complete the landscape, nodding subtly to Iceland’s rugged environment. The ram, Plate XXXI, is even more striking, with dramatically curled horns and a powerful stance. His expression, posture, and thick coat combine to form one of the most distinctive animals in the Buffon series. Together, the two plates form a natural pair—male and female, complementary compositions, matching landscapes, and identical framing proportions. When hung side by side, they create an elegant and balanced display that combines scientific illustration, pastoral charm, and 18th-century artistry. Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle was one of the most influential natural history works of the Enlightenment, and the Amsterdam edition is particularly prized for its hand colouring and high production values. Icelandic sheep were of special interest to Buffon because of their adaptation to extreme climates, their unusual wool, and their cultural importance. These engravings remain among the earliest widely circulated images of the breed in Europe. Condition report: Very good condition for age. Clean sheets with wide margins and strong plate marks. Minor age toning and occasional small foxing spots, mostly in the margins. Hand colouring bright and well preserved. No tears, repairs, or stains affecting the image. Framing tips: Frame the pair together for maximum visual impact. Use warm cream or pale grey matting to complement the wool tones. Natural oak, walnut, or light gilt frames work beautifully with the earthy palette. Floating the sheets also highlights the generous margins and plate marks. Keywords: Iceland sheep engraving Buffon 1769 Amsterdam Jacques de Sève hand coloured natural history La Brebis d’Islande Le Bélier d’Islande antique farm animal prints...

Antique Zebu Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769 Description: This charming and beautifully hand-coloured engraving of the zebu, titled Le Zébu, comes from the rare...

The engraving titled "The Death of Captn. Cook" depicts the dramatic and tragic event of Captain James Cook's death. This artwork is intricately framed with ornate borders and decora...