Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.10028
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‘The Middle-sized Black Monkey’
Date
1761
Creator
George Edwards (1694 - 1773, British) , Ornithologist
Object type
Library reference
38029
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 288mm
width (print): 220mm
width (print): 220mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Zoological study of an unidentified monkey, shown sitting on a grassy hillock and holding a domestic cat.
Plate 311 from chapter 101 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 3 (London, for the author, 1764). The author describes the animal within the text: “This Monkey was about the size of a large Cat, of a gentle nature in respect of hurting any one. He loved playing with a Kitten, as most Monkies do...The Cat is added only to decorate the figure. This Monkey was presented to me by my obliging friend Mr. George Cope, of Stratford in Essex. I am informed he is a native of Guiney, on the coast of Africa. He was a very active, lively, diverting good-natured animal: but I was obliged to part with him for want of convenient room; for which reason I presented him to a right honourable Lord in Essex, who had a convenient menagery...”.
The plate is inscribed: “The middle sized Black Monkey, from Guinea in Africa form life. Geo Edwards Delin: et Sculp: November the 14 AD 1761.”
Plate 311 from chapter 101 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 3 (London, for the author, 1764). The author describes the animal within the text: “This Monkey was about the size of a large Cat, of a gentle nature in respect of hurting any one. He loved playing with a Kitten, as most Monkies do...The Cat is added only to decorate the figure. This Monkey was presented to me by my obliging friend Mr. George Cope, of Stratford in Essex. I am informed he is a native of Guiney, on the coast of Africa. He was a very active, lively, diverting good-natured animal: but I was obliged to part with him for want of convenient room; for which reason I presented him to a right honourable Lord in Essex, who had a convenient menagery...”.
The plate is inscribed: “The middle sized Black Monkey, from Guinea in Africa form life. Geo Edwards Delin: et Sculp: November the 14 AD 1761.”
Associated place