John William Lewin, “Sandpiper,” 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)

“Sandpiper,” or “Dunlin” (as titled in the plate), 1793 

The name “Dunlin” is the common English term derived from the 16th-century word “dunling,” where “dun” means dull brown and “-ling” is a diminutive suffix—essentially meaning “little brown one.” 

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on wove paper with the original hand-colouring of publication and full margins as issued. This plate is number 177, facing page 26, in the sixth volume (of eight) of Lewin’s “The Birds of Great Britain Systematically Arranged, Accurately Engraved, and Painted from Nature…”, published by Joseph Johnson (1738–1809) in London in 1795. 

Archive.org offers an online view of the publication, providing context for this print and its accompanying description: https://archive.org/details/BirdsGreatBritaVI/page/177/mode/1up.

This is an exceptionally fine impression, with vivid original hand-colouring that has been sensitively applied and remains unfaded. The sheet is in pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions: 

• Sheet: 34 x 23.3 cm
• Platemark: 17.4 x 13.7 cm

Numbered and Lettered on Plate: 

• Upper right corner: “177”
• Lower centre: “DUNLIN. I.W. Lewin, del.et.sculp._Published as the Act directs, Nov.7. 1793.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$244 (approximately US$171.02 / €149.37 / £129.02), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this delicate and beautifully coloured etching, which captures a Sandpiper in a tense moment of alertness as it seems to examine the viewer, ready for a quick escape—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

John William Lewin, “Bearded Titmouse,” 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)

“Bearded Titmouse,” or “Bearded Tit” (as titled in the plate), 1793

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on wove paper with the original hand-colouring and full margins as issued. This etching is plate 123 facing page 58 in the fourth volume (of eight) of Lewin’s “The Birds of Great Britain Systematically Arranged, Accurately Engraved, and Painted from Nature…”, published by Joseph Johnson (1738–1809) in London in 1795.

Archive.org offers an online view of the publication, providing context for this print and its accompanying description: https://archive.org/details/birdsGreatBritaIV/page/58/mode/2up.

This is an exceptionally fine (nearly faultless) impression, with the vivid original hand-colouring sensitively applied and unfaded. Aside from a few faint marks in the margin, the sheet is in excellent (near-pristine) condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 34 x 24.4 cm
• Platemark: 17.3 x 13.5 cm

Numbered and Lettered on Plate:

• Upper right corner: “123”
• Lower centre: “BEARDED TIT. I.W. Lewin, del.et.sculp^t. Published as the Act directs, Nov^r.1793.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$244 (approximately US$173.91 / €147.08 / £128.23), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this delicate and sensitively coloured etching that captures the Bearded Titmouse in a moment of focused anticipation—its slender frame tense with alertness as it gazes downward, scanning the reeds below for a meal—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

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 sculp^t. Published as the Act directs, Nov^r.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