Edwards, George “The Monax or Marmotte of America.” [Maryland] Plate 104

George Edwards.  Plate 104.  “The Monax or Marmotte of America.”  [Maryland] From Gleanings of Natural History.  

London, 1758.  7 ½ x 9 ¼ (platemark).   Engraving.  Original hand coloring.   Very good condition.

George Edwards (1694-1773) was a familiar figure in British naturalist circles of the mid-18th century.  Edwards produced his impressive volumes almost single-handedly, for not only did he draw the figures upon which the prints are based, but he also wrote the text, etched the plates and did his own coloring.  Edwards was elected to the Royal Society, and his fame spread throughout Europe.  So great was the impact of his work that Edwards has been credited with almost alone popularizing the art of natural history illustration.

Other Edwards animals:

Greenland Buck

Quick-Hatch or Wolverene

Zebra