5273 - Esper - 8 Sea Life Engravings

Esper - 8 Sea Life Engravings Description of the work: This originally hand-colored sea life engraving is from Eugen Johann Christoph Esper's The Plant Animals, Illuminated in Illustrations from Nature with Colors. - Continuations of the Plant Animals. The work was published in Nuremberg by Bauer & Raspe between 1788 and 1830. This is from Esper's rarest work that was published over 40 years. It is based off his own collection of corals and sea sponges. Each engraving features beautiful original hand-coloring. Eugenius Johann Christoph Esper (1742-1810) was a German zoologist and naturalist. He studied botany from a young age, was intending to study theology, but encouraged to pursue natural history by his professor. He was in charge of the Natural History department at Erlanger University. He collected numerous specimens that are now on display in the zoological museum in Munich. Provenance: North German private collection Paper Size: ~ 8" by 10" Paper Type or Special Features: Originally Hand-colored Engraving Condition: The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint fox marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.