Description
Thomas Pennant's The British Zoology
These fine hand-colored engravings are from Thomas Pennant’s distinguished work entitled The British Zoology published in 1766. Pennant was a travel writer as well as a naturalist. His travels gave him a great basis for his books. As a naturalist, he was well-known to several famous individuals in history including Carolus Linnaeus and Charles Darwin, the latter even mentioned this particular work in his own writings. Pennant’s works were known more for their ability to encourage and popularize the study of natural history rather than producing new theories and ideas. The British Zoology, his first work, confirms this talent. Peter Mazell, the engraver of this work, based his engravings on the drawings by Peter Paillou and others. They are on fine chain-linked, watermarked paper that measures ~ 21 1/8" by 14 7/8".