"[Lot of 11- Birds]", Albin, Eleazar

This collection of early copper engraved bird plates are by Eleazar Albin (1680-1741). Albin was a professional watercolorist who obtained a commission to paint bird and botanical subjects by Sir Hans Sloan, President of the College of Physicians, who became a patron and supporter of his publications. His landmark Natural History of Birds was the first English-produced ornithology book with hand colored plates and are considered a significant improvement over the earlier work of Willughby and Ray published in 1676 and 1678. These plates are from this publication, each on a full sheet with generous margins and original hand coloring.

1)Turdus Pilaris - The Pied Fieldfare, (7.7 x 9.8").
2)The Weazel Coot, (7.0 x 9.0").
3)The cloven footed Gull, (8.0 x 9.8").
4)The China Bull-finch, 1737, (7.5 x 10.0").
5)Turdus Pilaris Variegatus - The Pied Fieldfare, (7.7 x 9.8").
6)The Tree widdle or female Stent, 1737, (7.5 x 10.0").
7)Hirundo agrestis - The Martin or Martlet, [and] Hirundo riparia - The Sand or bank Martin(7.6 x 9.8").
8)Anser Bassanus - The Soland Goose, (9.0 x 8.0").
9)Hirundo Marina minor - The Lesser Sea Swallow, (9.0 x 10.5").
10)The Petteril, 1735, (7.8 x 9.8").
11)The Head and Bill of the Man of War Bird, 1737, (7.7 x 9.8").

References:

Condition: B+

All images are fine with some light, occasional toning or foxing in blank areas. Each is in a thick sheet of hand laid paper, some with fleur-de-lys watermarks.