Hirundo Agrestis Drepanis – Sepp & Nozeman (1770)

Antique print titled ‘Hirundo Agrestis Drepanis’. This print depicts the sand martin with nest and eggs (Dutch: oeverzwaluw).

The

sand martin (Riparia riparia) or European sand martin, bank swallow in the Americas, and collared sand martin in the Indian Subcontinent, is a migratory passerine bird in the swallow family. It has a wide range in summer, embracing practically the whole of Europe and the Mediterranean countries, part of northern Asia and also North America. It winters in eastern and southern Africa, South America and the Indian Subcontinent.

This print originates from ‘Nederlandsche Vogelen; volgens hunne huisdouding, aert, en eigenschappen beschreeven’, Amsterdam, 1770-1829 by C. Nozeman, M. Houttuyn and J.C. Sepp. This is the most important and first study in the Netherlands of ornithology at that time. The birds are depicted as they are in life, said to be depicted close to life sized and in their environment.

Original text page included.

Artists and engravers:

This monumental work is associated with Christiaan Andreas Sepp, Jan Christiaan Sepp, Jan Sepp, Cornelis Nozeman, Martinus Houttuyn and Coenraad Jacob Temminck.

Date: 1770

Overall size: 37 x 53 cm.

Image size: 27.7 x 42.4 cm.

Condition: Very good. General age-related toning. Please review the images for further condition details.