1840 Squirrel, Hamster, Ed Travies [b1809], original hand colour, mammal

This originally hand-coloured engraving was issued in Charles D’Orbigny’s work Dictionnaire Universel d’ Histoire Naturelle. 

The work was considered one of the paramount natural history collections of that time featuring wonderfully illustrated natural history plates. 

Many distinguished artists contributed to the work include Edouard Travies, Susemihl, Oudart, Werner, Vaillant, Meunier, Dalarue, Blanchard, Maubert, and Pretre. Most of the bird illustrations were provided by Travies who was a celebrated artist of his time. Each plate features the order, genus, and species printed in Latin and French in the lower margin. The plates feature great detail and attractive original hand coloring. Many of the plates were finished with shellac which adds to the strength of the colouring.

15.8 x 24.3 cm

Printed on fine thick cream toned paper.

Édouard Traviès de Villers (24 March 1809 – 18 November 1876) was a French watercolourist, lithographer and illustrator. He regularly exhibited works at the Paris Salon between 1831 and 1866 and was primarily known for his paintings of natural history subjects, especially birds. His greatest work was Les oiseaux les plus remarquables par leurs formes et leurs couleurs.