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Saturday, 5 July 2025

John William Lewin, “Chimney Swallow”, 1793

John William Lewin (1770–1819)— the first free artist to settle in New South Wales, Australia and the first printmaker in the colony (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG35701)

“Chimney Swallow”, 1793 (as inscribed in plate), plate 124, hand-coloured etching facing page 60 in the fourth volume (of eight) of John William Lewin’s “The Birds of Great Britain Systematically Arranged, Accurately Engraved, and Painted from Nature …”, published by Joseph Johnson (1738–1809) in 1795 in London.

Archive.org offers an online view of the publication showing the context of this print and accompanying description: https://archive.org/details/birdsGreatBritaIV/page/60/mode/2up. Note, however, that this impression does not have text printed verso.

Etching on wove paper with the original hand- colouring and full margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 34 x 24.3 cm; (plate) 17.3 x 13.5 cm.

Numbered and lettered in plate: (upper right) “124”; (right) “CHIMNEY SWALLOW. I. W. Lewin del. et sculpt. Published as the Act directs, Novr.1793.”

Condition: an exceptionally fine (near faultless) impression with original hand-colouring sensitively applied and with full margins as published. Beyond a few faint dots in the margin, the sheet is in an excellent (near pristine) condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains or signs of handling.

I’m selling this exquisite hand-coloured etching depicting a swallow in dynamic flight, its beak agape, in a downward swoop, for AU$224 (approx. US$146.84, EUR 124.66, or GBP 107.62), including express worldwide shipping.  Import duties, if applicable, are the buyer's responsibility.

If you are interested in purchasing this graphically unusual composition capturing the agility of a swallow with its distinctive blue flash (mindful that a fully animated study of a bird for zoological purposes was uncommon at the time), please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will send you a PayPal invoice.

This print has been sold











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