ANTIQUE PRINTS
Thomas PENNANT (Welsh, 1726-1798)
Title: "The Royston Crow (Hooded Crow)"
(Plate D1)
Portfolio: The British Zoology, Class II: Birds
*Very rare
Year: 1761-1766 (First edition)
Medium: Original Hand-Colored Engraving
Limited edition: Unknown
Sheet size: 14.32" x 21"
Image size: 10.5" x 16.88"
Price: $2,400
Thomas Pennant (27 June [O.S. 14 June] 1726 – 16 December 1798) was a Welsh naturalist, traveller, writer and antiquarian. He
was born and lived his whole life at his family estate, Downing Hall near Whitford, Flintshire, in Wales.
As a naturalist he had a great curiosity, observing the geography, geology, plants, animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish
around him and recording what he saw and heard about. He wrote acclaimed books including British Zoology, the History of
Quadrupeds, Arctic Zoology and Indian Zoology although he never travelled further afield than continental Europe. He knew
and maintained correspondence with many of the scientific figures of his day. His books influenced the writings of Samuel
Johnson. As an antiquarian, he amassed a considerable collection of art and other works, largely selected for their scientific
interest. Many of these works are now housed at the National Library of Wales.
As a traveller he visited Scotland and many other parts of Britain and wrote about them. Many of his travels took him to places
that were little known to the British public and the travelogues he produced, accompanied by painted and engraved colour
plates, were much appreciated. Each tour started at his home and related in detail the route, the scenery, the habits and
activities of the people he met, their customs and superstitions, and the wildlife he saw or heard about. He travelled on
horseback accompanied by his servant, Moses Griffith, who sketched the things they encountered and later worked these up into
illustrations for the books. He was an amiable man with a large circle of friends and was still busily following his interests into his
sixties. He enjoyed good health throughout his life and died at Downing at the age of seventy-two.
References:
"The British Zoology, Class II: Birds", (1761-1766) - Anker 392; Brunet IV 478; Sitwell page 131; Nissen IVB710
FINE ART INVESTMENTS SINCE 1978
Title: "The Great Speckled Diver (Great
Speckled Loon)" (Plate K*)
Portfolio: The British Zoology, Class II: Birds
*Very rare
Year: 1761-1766 (First edition)
Medium: Original Hand-Colored Engraving
Limited edition: Unknown
Sheet size: 14.13" x 20.94"
Image size: 12.5" x 20.5"
Price: $2,400