Antique Rodent Print, From "Natural History, General and Particular" - 1785 - London

Each purchase is for ONE random print from the selection shown, along with an archival document protector. These copper plate prints are from Natural History, General and Particular by the Count de Buffon, originally published in France and later translated by William Smellie for English publication in 1785. The prints show early renderings of different types of rodents (and similar animals), often with antiquated or obsolete names accompanying them. The animals are often depicted with charming inaccuracy—likely because the artist had never seen many of them in person, and created the images based on written accounts from others. Though they were originally part of a book, the prints had already been separated when acquired by History Hoard. This is often done when a book is heavily damaged beyond repair, in order to salvage the parts that are still usable. Each print measures approximately 7.5 x 5 inches (19 x 13 cm).