Copper engravings by Marcus Elieser Bloch

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Stromateus Fiatola, Butterfish BHF20 $325	Chaetodon Fasciatus, Diagonal Butterfly Fish BHF8 $425


Coryphaena Plumieri, Sea Peacock BHF12 $345	Coryphaena Pentadactyla, Five Finger Wrasse BHF10 $325


Chaetodon Chirurgus, Surgeonfish BHF17 $345	Chaetodon Aureus, Angelfish & Lookdown BHF18 $345


Zeus Cillaris, Pompano BHF21 $395	Zeus Insidiator, Zeus Gallus BHF22 $295


Chaetodon Ocellatus, Chaetodon Plumieri, Angelfish BHF23 $295	Chaetodon Marginatus, Angelfish BHF24 $295


Diodon Mola, Sun Fish BHF25 $325	Pleuronectes Punctatus,Wiff BHF26 $325


Chaetodon Ciliaris, Angelfish BHF27 $295	Pleuronectes Macrolepidotus, Sole BHF28 $245


Diodon Atinga, Porcupine Puffer Fish BHF31 $295	Diodon Orbicularis, Prickly Ballonfish, Spiny Puffer BHF14 $345

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We are pleased to present these beautiful rare original hand colored copper engravings from M.E. Bloch’s "Okonomische Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Auslandischen Fische", published in Berlin, 1785-1787. The work of Bloch is famous for the beauty of the fish portrayed and the superb hand coloring, and considered by many to be the greatest of all the works on ichthyology. These prints are in the folio size, measuring approximately 10 1/2 inches by 17 3/8 inches, on superb thick chain lined paper in a creamy color, with strong plate marks and good margins. There is no text, but a copy of the original title page is also included.

As longtime print dealers, we have bought many Bloch prints over the years and are delighted to find the hand coloring in this set the most vibrant and fresh we have ever seen. The genuine silver paint enhances may of the fishes and still glistens and is without the oxidation so commonly found with metallic paints of this age. The condition of these prints is excellent, remarkable for their age of about 230 years and a fine opportunity to gain some fine specimens!